Department for Transport

Railways: Disability

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to include provisions on step free access in the upcoming white paper on the railway network; and on what date (a) that white paper and (b) the Williams Rail Review are planned to be published.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Government wants to ensure step free access for as many passengers as possible. It remains committed to transforming our railways and building on Keith Williams’ evidence-based priorities, including to deliver improved accessibility. We want to create a railway that puts passengers first, delivers better value for money and supports the nation’s recovery from Covid-19.Covid-19 struck when the Williams Rail Review was in its final stages. We believe the priorities that Keith set out remain the right ones and we are working with him now to consider how best to deliver reform in light of these unique challenges.

Trains: Diesel Fuel

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when diesel trains will cease to operate on the rail network.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Government is developing an ambitious Transport Decarbonisation Plan to achieve net zero emissions across all modes of transport by 2050. We will use electrification and alternative technologies such as battery and hydrogen trains to remove diesel trains from the network and decarbonise the railway. Ongoing work led by Network Rail will inform decisions about the pace of rail decarbonisation to achieve net zero, the deployment of different decarbonisation technologies on each part of the network, and delivery of the ambition to remove all diesel-only trains from the railway by 2040.

Railway Stations: Disability

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of step-free access at national rail stations in England.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department regularly reviews the level of accessibility including data from Rail Delivery Group and passenger demand. We also require the industry to meet current accessibility standards whenever they install, replace or renew station infrastructure and to provide free alternative transport for anyone unable to use a particular station. By the end of 2024 more than 100 additional stations will also receive accessible routes under our Access for All programme.

Public Transport: Coronavirus

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much printed material has been distributed to public transport providers operating in (a) the UK, (b) London and (c) Lewisham constituency in relation to the requirement to wear face coverings on public transport.

Rachel Maclean: The Department for Transport has created over 300 public information resources related to Covid-19. Many incorporate the message that passengers must wear face coverings on public transport and at indoor transport hubs. There are a range of face covering materials, many of which include exemptions for age, health or disability reasons as well as consequences for those who are not exempt and do not comply. The department has not printed any of these materials itself, instead we have ensured that transport operators, local authorities and partners across England have had access to these materials allowing them to download, print and display these messages as appropriate. Our materials have been downloaded over 3,700 times and sent to over 250 stakeholders since face coverings became mandatory. We also shared the materials on the department’s social media channels and amplified supporting content from stakeholders. We have worked with Cabinet Office and secured 6,700 digital displays for face coverings at bus stops and rail stations in England. We do not have specific data for London or Lewisham. The London Borough of Lewisham and TfL are responsible for transport in Lewisham constituency and have access to DfT’s online resources.

Rolling Stock

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance his Department has provided to train operating companies on the ratio of first class seating to standard class seating on passenger trains.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department for Transport’s priority is to ensure that passengers are able to access the services they need. Where appropriate the Department may outline an expectation within the specification that first class seating is provided and request that the operator consults local stakeholder groups to inform a rolling stock configuration that is deliverable and meets the needs of the local market. The Department analyses operators’ proposals carefully, and challenges them as appropriate.

Public Transport: Coronavirus

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that people using public transport wear appropriate face coverings during the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Heaton-Harris: Since the introduction of mandatory face coverings on public transport and in transport hubs in England from 15 June, the Department for Transport has taken a series of steps to ensure people comply with the legislation and wear appropriate face coverings. To help introduce this policy, we focused on informing the public of the new requirements. The Department ran a successful communications campaign through its social media channels and produced a range of materials, including posters, videos and guidance, to support operators in conveying the new rules and exemptions from the policy to passengers. With regards to enforcement, the regulations made under the Public Health Act 1984 include new powers for operators to deny access to a service, or direct someone to leave a service, who is not wearing a face covering without a valid exemption. There are also powers for the police, British Transport Police and Transport for London authorised personnel to issue a fixed penalty notice of £100. As the Prime Minister announced on 13 August 2020, we are bringing forward stronger enforcement measures which mean fines for repeat offenders double at each offence, up to a maximum value of £3,200.

South Wales Railway Line

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reconfiguring the South Wales Mainline so that inter-city services can be separated from commuter services; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Heaton-Harris: On 21 August the Secretary of State announced a £343m package of investment in railway infrastructure in Wales. This includes the development of a scheme to upgrade the relief lines between the Severn Tunnel and Cardiff to provide greater capacity and more flexibility for passenger services on this part of the route. I have asked Network Rail to look for opportunities to accelerate this development work as much as possible.

Railway Stations: Disability

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Network Rail on improving step-free access at railway stations.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department for Transport regularly engages with Network Rail on improving accessibility at stations. This includes frequent formal and ad hoc meetings as part of the governance of the Access for All programme and advising Network Rail on their legal obligation to meet accessibility standards whenever they install, replace or renew station infrastructure.

Railways: Fares

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to make rail travel in the UK more affordable to passengers.

Chris Heaton-Harris: Passengers deserve punctual and reliable journeys at a fair price, which is why we are investing billions of pounds in modernising the network. We have saved a generation of passengers a third off their fares through the new 16-17 and 26-30 ‘millennial’ railcard, and this November will extend these savings to former servicemen and women through a new Veterans Railcard. The Department is also working with industry to explore options for flexible commuters, such as carnets, and what steps could be taken quickly to make these as useful and convenient for passengers as possible.

Railways: Sutton

Elliot Colburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to improve rail connectivity in Wallington, Carshalton, Carshalton Beeches and Hackbridge after planned infrastructure improvements as part of Network Rail’s Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme is part of the wider Brighton Mainline Upgrade Programme. If the Programme goes ahead, it will deliver additional capacity and performance improvements through the Croydon and Selhurst area and across the southeast. The origin and destination of new services has not yet been determined, but could include additional services to those stations listed in the Hon Gentleman’s question.

Railways: Season Tickets

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when part-time season tickets will be introduced for commuter services into (a) London, (b) Manchester (c) Birmingham.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Government recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a fundamental change in working patterns and that this could have long-term effects on commuter behaviour. In order to support a green recovery and new working patterns, the Department is working with industry to explore already available options for flexible commuters, such as carnets, and what steps could be taken quickly to make these as useful and convenient for passengers as possible. We are currently considering proposals from train operators to support those returning to work.

Public Transport: Coronavirus

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to encourage transport operators to ensure that their services are well-ventilated to limit the spread of covid-19.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department for Transport has published guidance on safer transport during the COVID-19 pandemic which includes recommendations on ventilation. However, this is non-mandatory guidance to ensure that transport operators can develop their own plans and processes to manage the Covid risk as best fits their own unique transport operations. While the science to date is clear that fresh air outdoors provides the best ventilation, we are developing our scientific understanding of ventilation and other technical innovations for enclosed environments. It is important to stress that the question of ventilation must be considered as part of a holistic approach to managing hazards and overall risk which also includes other interventions such as social distancing, improved hygiene and the use of face coverings.

Passenger Ships: Coronavirus

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support the Government is providing to the British cruise ship industry during the covid-19 outbreak.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department have been working in close partnership with the British cruise industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to have regular discussions on a wide range of operational and other challenges. The British Cruise industry, as with all parts of the economy, has been able to apply for, and access, the full range of the HMG business support measures. I am eager to see a swift return to operations as soon as it is safe to do so. I have been working in collaboration across government, with the cruise industry, to review and enhance protocols to ensure a COVID-19 safe environment. These collective efforts will, I hope, allow the safe resumption of cruise operations in due course, and I support them in their efforts to rebuild public confidence.

Road Traffic Control: Urban Areas

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding is available for local authorities to improve junction safety and capacity and to remove bottlenecks to make it easier for people to get into town centres by car and van.

Rachel Maclean: Local highway authorities, such as Wokingham Borough Council, have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highways network in their area. The responsibility for improving junction safety and capacity is also a matter for the relevant local highway authority. The Department for Transport is allocating over £1.7 billion for local highways maintenance and improvements in 2020/21 through the Transport Infrastructure Investment Fund to local highways authorities in England, outside London. Of this Wokingham Borough Council will receive over £5.1 million. It is entirely for each authority to determine how their share of this funding is utilised to meet local needs.

A49: Shropshire

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) accidents and (b) fatalities occurred on the A49 in Shropshire between the Bayston Hill junction with the A5 and Church Stretton in (i) 2019, (ii) 2018, (iii) 2017 and (iv) 2016.

Rachel Maclean: The number of reported personal injury road accidents, and fatalities on the A49 between the Bayston Hill junction with the A5 and Church Stretton between 2016 and 2018 are shown in the table below. Reported road accidents and fatalities on the A49 between the Bayston Hill junction and Church Stretton, 2016-2018 201620172018Personal injury accidents111212Fatal casualties301Source: DfT, STATS19Detailed final statistics on reported personal injury road accidents in Great Britain for 2019 will be published on 30 September 2020. The latest annual published statistics are for 2018.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Coronavirus

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the DVLA is taking to make the processing of V5 forms (a) more efficient and (b) accessible online during the covid-19 outbreak.

Rachel Maclean: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has a range of services available online which offer the quickest and easiest way to transact with the DVLA. The DVLA’s online services have worked well throughout the pandemic with more than 36 million online driver and vehicle transactions processed since March. Around 97.5 per cent of DVLA’s customer interactions are digital or automated allowing businesses and motorists to transact with DVLA at a time and place that suits them. For vehicle keepers, the online services include notifying a change of keeper, telling the DVLA that a vehicle has been disposed of to a motor trader as well as removing and adding a personalised number plate from or to a vehicle. The DVLA continues to add to the extensive range of digital services already available. In June, the DVLA launched a new service allowing vehicle keepers to change their address online. This service was developed and introduced at pace in response to the pandemic and has been very successful with more than 213,000 change of address transactions completed online by the end of August. Further digital service enhancements are underway.

Motorhomes: Registration

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many applications for van to motor caravan conversions have been made in last five years; and how many of those applications have been turned down and for what reasons.

Rachel Maclean: The table below shows the number of accepted and rejected applications to change a vehicle’s body type from van to motor caravan. Information on the reason for refusal would incur disproportionate costs to gather, as each case would need to be interrogated to establish the reason. Information on the volume of rejected applications has only been stored since July 2016.  Applications accepted between August 2015 and July 2020Applications rejected between July 2016 and July 2020Applications to change body type from van to motor caravan44,99118,199 The DVLA emphasises that even if the body type is unable to be changed to “motor caravan”, vehicle keepers are still able to use the vehicle for this purpose, provided any alterations made to the vehicle do not compromise its safety.

Driving Licences: Coronavirus

John McNally: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential risk of allowing D4 drivers categorised as healthy to defer their medicals for a year.

Rachel Maclean: An analysis of the temporary change which allows lorry and bus drivers to renew their licences for one year without the requirement for a medical report was published as part of the legislative changes made to support the scheme in the Business and Planning Act 2020. The analysis is available on the Parliament UK website and the specific provisions relating to bus and lorry driving licences starts on page 33. Drivers renewing their licence without a medical report remain legally obliged to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of the onset or worsening of any medical conditions that may affect their driving. If a medical condition is declared, a licence will not be issued unless an investigation by the DVLA confirms that the relevant medical standards are met.

Motorhomes: Registration

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many applications to change a vehicle description to a motor home the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has received in each of the last three years; and how many of those applications have been granted.

Rachel Maclean: In the last three years the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has received 49,901 applications to change a vehicle description to motor caravan. From these applications 32,199 were granted. For those applications where the body type is unable to be changed to “motor caravan”, vehicle keepers are still able to use the vehicle for this purpose, provided any alterations made to the vehicle do not compromise its safety.

A303: Stonehenge

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) archaeological effect and (b) effect on Stonehenge's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site of the proposed upgrade to the A303.

Rachel Maclean: Highway England’s Development Consent Order application for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down scheme is currently with the Secretary of State for determination. In making his decision, the Secretary of State will consider carefully the findings of the Examining Authority regarding the impacts of the scheme, and the representations received since the close of the examination, including those made in response to consultation following the recent archaeological discovery at the site in June 2020. I am unable to comment further on this live planning application.

Jet Skis: Accidents

Virginia Crosbie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he plans to take to help prevent accidents as a result of collisions between jet skis and boats.

Andrew Stephenson: Local and harbour authorities already have powers to introduce measures controlling personal water craft and boat use in the waters they manage. They are best placed to consider what provisions are necessary in their local areas to ensure safety and deliver an appropriate balance between the requirements and priorities of different water users. While the majority of personal watercraft riders use their craft sensibly and safely, we are currently considering the introduction of new enforcement measures to ensure that any who willfully or neglectfully cause accidents or endanger the safety of others can be prosecuted.

Driving and Parking: Urban Areas

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance he is issuing to local authorities to make it easier for people to drive to town centres and park to boost local economies.

Rachel Maclean: It is for local authorities to decide how to allocate road space on their roads and ensure suitable access to local shops and high streets. The Department publishes a wide range of guidance to help them in this, including Local Transport Notes, Traffic Advisory Leaflets and guidance on managing parking enforcement.

Driving Tests: Coronavirus

Karen Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will extend the period of validity of a Theory Driving Test Certificate in response to the covid-19 lockdown restrictions that were imposed on people learning to drive.

Rachel Maclean: The two-year validity period of the theory test certificate is set in legislation and the Government has taken the decision not lay further legislation to extend it. The primary reason is that the two-year validity is in place to ensure that a candidate’s theoretical knowledge remains current. Extending the validity would provide less reassurance that this is the case, particularly over a period when a candidate was also unlikely to be having driving lessons. It is important that road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date as learners prepare to take their practical test.

Transport for London Financial Review

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress has been made in the discussions with (a) Transport for London and (b) the Mayor of London on  the Government’s review into Transport for London’s future financial sustainability.

Rachel Maclean: The Government led review into Transport for London’s future financial sustainability is ongoing.

Bus Services

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing demand responsive bus services to reduce the level of private car dependency for travel.

Rachel Maclean: The bus market outside London is deregulated with decisions regarding service provision being primarily a commercial matter for bus operators, who are able to create demand responsive services. The Secretary of State does however recognise the benefits that demand responsive transport has in areas with infrequent traditional bus services. This is why on September 2019 it was announced that the Department would introduce a £20 million Rural Mobility Fund to trial demand responsive services in rural and suburban areas. We are currently reviewing these bids.

Bridges and Tunnels: Irish Sea

Paul Girvan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on the scoping report on a road transport link between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Rachel Maclean: The Prime Minister has announced we will carry out a study of all future road, rail, air and cross-sea links between our all our four parts of the UK. We are currently in the process of formally appointing a reviewer to undertake this work. We expect to launch the review shortly.

A1: Bedfordshire

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent cost-benefit analysis has been undertaken of the options for improvements or realignment of the A1 in Bedfordshire.

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential effect on the number of journeys on the A1 in Bedfordshire of the opening of the East West Rail line.

Rachel Maclean: The first Road Investment Strategy (RIS), published in 2014, committed to examining the case for improvements to the A1 between the M25 and Peterborough. Following an initial study of the whole stretch, work focused on the sections between junctions 10 (Stotfold) and 14 (Alconbury), where the challenges on the route are most acute. The findings have shown that improvements, including some new alignment, would offer poor value for money. However, as recognised in the second RIS, published in March 2020, substantial plans for future local growth could change that assessment. Therefore, we expect there will be opportunities to re-examine the case for potential improvements along this section, particularly as proposals for the Oxford to Cambridge Arc, including East West Rail, develop.

A1: Bedfordshire

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many journeys have been undertaken on average on each day on the A1 in Bedfordshire in each of the last three years; and at which locations those traffic measurements have been taken.

Rachel Maclean: The table attached contains the data on how many journeys have been taken, on average, each day on the A1 between junctions 6 and the A1/A14, in each of the last three years. These traffic measurements have been taken from sensors embedded in the road surface at those locations also identified in the table attached.Journeys on the A1/A14 (docx, 73.9KB)

A1: Bedfordshire

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what type of measurements of air quality are taken along the A1 in Bedfordshire; in which locations those measurements are so taken; what recent assessment has been made of the air quality in those locations; and if he will publish the results of the measurements taken at each of those locations in each of the last three years.

Rachel Maclean: A monitoring station that is part of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)’s Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN) is located at the roadside alongside the A1, north-west of Sandy, Bedfordshire (52.132417, -0.300306). This monitoring site measures levels of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides, PM10 particulate matter and PM2.5 particulate matter. The measurement data from this monitoring site is reported in near real-time and is updated every hour and is available online on DEFRA’s UK Air website. The monitoring site was compliant with air quality limit values for the past three years.

Hackbridge Station

Elliot Colburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allocating funding to support a platform extension at Hackbridge station.

Chris Heaton-Harris: No assessment has been made of the merits of making platform extensions at Hackbridge. As part of its ongoing programme of network planning, the Department has received no indication from Network Rail that platform extensions at Hackbridge would be a priority for enhancement funding at this time.

Transport: Carshalton and Wallington

Elliot Colburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to improve transport connectivity in Carshalton and Wallington constituency.

Rachel Maclean: Government works with all key partners across the country, including Transport for London (TfL) and London Boroughs, to ensure consideration is given to transport connectivity from the earliest stages of the development of proposals. In addition, as part of the Extraordinary Funding and Finance Agreement, agreed to by the Mayor of London and the Deputy Mayor for Transport, TfL are pushing forward with an ambitious Active Travel Plan to promote cycling and walking, including new segregated cycle lanes, closures of roads to traffic and pavement extensions across London, which is supported by £55 million from the funding package.

Public Transport: Coronavirus

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that public transport is accessible to people with disabilities during the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Government remains as committed to delivering inclusive transport for all passengers as they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Our expectation is that transport operators should continue to assist disabled passengers who need assistance. I made this clear in my open letter to the rail industry on 8 April 2020 (www.gov.uk/government/speeches/letter-from-the-rail-minister-to-the-rail-delivery-group-on-maintaining-accessibility-during-the-covid-19-outbreak). We have also made clear to local authorities that the Public Sector Equality Duty still applies and that they must continue to consider the needs of disabled people. An accessible public realm is vital to enabling disabled people to access public transport. On 9 May the Department published statutory guidance to local authorities on reallocating road space which makes clear that authorities must consider the needs of disabled people and those with other protected characteristics when making changes to their transport networks (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reallocating-road-space-in-response-to-covid-19-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities/traffic-management-act-2004-network-management-in-response-to-covid-19). Public Sector Equality Duty requirements apply to temporary measures as they do to permanent ones. I am meeting regularly with key disability stakeholders, including Disability Rights UK, Scope, Guide Dogs and Transport for All, to hear directly from them about the experiences of disabled people using transport. This engagement helps the Department take action quickly if we find that passengers are not receiving the assistance to which they are entitled. Many stakeholder groups have also developed their own “model guidance”, which we have shared with Train Operating Companies. The Government has launched an active communications campaign which advises people about exemptions to the face coverings rules for disability and health reasons. The publication reminds people that not all disability is visible and includes a non-compulsory exemption card should people want to use it.

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to enable local authorities to introduce electric vehicle workplace charging schemes without prior permission from his Department.

Rachel Maclean: The Government’s vision is for the UK to have one of the best electric vehicle infrastructure networks in the world. We recognise how vital it is that the UK chargepoint network continues to grow to support increasing numbers of electric vehicle motorists. The Office for Low Emission Vehicles workplace charging scheme offers grants to businesses, including local authorities, of up to £350 per socket for installing up to 40 charging sockets for their employees and fleets. To date over 8,000 installations have been made by over 3,000 organisations using the scheme. If local authorities wish to introduce complimentary workplace charging schemes either for their own fleets or to support local businesses make the switch to zero emission vehicles then they are free to do so without the need for government approval. Electric vehicle chargepoints are included within permitted development rights, this means that in most cases a chargepoint can be installed in an area lawfully used as an off-street parking space without needing to submit an application for planning permission. This right is not available if it affects a heritage building or asset.

Railway Stations: Disability

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 April 2020 to Questions 34321 and 38037, when the audit trail which his Department is undertaking with the Rail Delivery Group to identify and validate whether the information on station classification contained in the access map is accurate will be completed; and when changes resulting from that audit trail are planned to be implemented.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department is not undertaking any audit work with the Rail Delivery Group. We are currently trialling some accessibility audits on a small number of stations which if successful will better inform our accessibility investment decisions in the future. This is due to complete in the autumn. The Rail Delivery Group remain responsible for ensuring the accessibility data on the National Rail Enquiries website remains accurate and up to date.

Aircraft: Registration

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to discourage UK-based aircraft from using foreign registration systems with less onerous regulatory requirements.

Andrew Stephenson: The majority of third country registered aircraft based in Europe are non-complex aircraft registered in the US, used for recreational aviation. The Department for Transport recently commissioned an independent review into the safety of recreational General Aviation. Both the review and evidence from the CAA show there is no evidence that overall non-UK registered aircraft are maintained to a lower standard than UK registered aircraft, and that overall non-UK and European registered aircraft do not have a higher accident rate. Introducing restrictions could unnecessarily impact aircraft registered in Europe that are operated and maintained to the same standards as those in the UK. For these reasons, the Department for Transport does not consider there to be a safety case to proactively discourage UK-based aircraft from being registered to third countries. Further, changes made at European level, which the UK has adopted, have removed some of the incentives for registering an aircraft with a third country. We are closely following proposals by the European Aviation Safety Agency on this topic, and will consider whether a parallel approach would be appropriate for the UK post-Transition Period.

Aircraft: Registration

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ban foreign-registered planes from being based in the UK for longer than 90 days.

Andrew Stephenson: The Department for Transport and the CAA do not currently believe there is any justification on safety grounds for such a measure, and therefore will not be pursuing this. This is due to the findings of the recent independent General Aviation safety review finding both that non-UK / European registered aircraft operating in the UK have an accident rate no higher than average, and that there is no evidence that these aircraft are maintained to a lower standard. Legislation of this type would also impact aircraft registered in the EU that are currently able to circulate freely between the UK and the EU.

Bicycles: Repairs and Maintenance

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the accessibility of the Government's bicycle repair voucher scheme to people without access to a computer.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Government is committed to ensuring that its online services are accessible to all citizens, and that an appropriate alternative channel is available where citizens are not online. Internet access was required to access the initial tranche of Fix Your Bike vouchers, but the Department will consider whether it might be possible to distribute some vouchers in other ways in future tranches. The Department has also provided funding for “pop-up” bike maintenance sessions around the country as part of Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival programme. Members of the public can drop into these sessions and receive basic repairs to their cycles free of charge.

Bicycles: Repairs and Maintenance

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Government's bicycle repair vouchers are issued to people (a) with the greatest need and (b) who live in areas that most require an increase in uptake of active travel.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The initial release of Fix Your Bike vouchers was a small pilot and there will be more opportunities to secure vouchers in the coming months. The Government will continue to work closely with industry during the pilot to monitor its impact and adapt the scheme as necessary before rolling it out more widely. Future releases of vouchers will also be informed by analysis of data available from the initial release, including on the geographical locations where vouchers were released and on the extent to which those accessing the vouchers were new or regular cyclists.

Cycling: Zero Hours Contracts

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the Cycle to Work scheme is available to people on zero-hour contracts.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Cycle to Work Scheme is a tax-efficient, salary-sacrifice employee benefit, which enables an employee to hire a cycle and safety equipment from their employer through a pre-tax salary sacrifice arrangement. It is for employers to decide whether to offer the Scheme to their staff, including those on zero-hours contracts, or to offer alternative provision through a loan or pooled cycle scheme. The Government updated the Cycle to Work scheme guidance for employers in 2019 which made it easier for employers to provide cycles and equipment including e-bikes and adapted bikes worth over £1,000.

Bicycles: Safety Measures

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to make it compulsory for bicycles  to be fitted with bells when in use.

Chris Heaton-Harris: Rule 66 of the Highway Code recommends that bells are fitted and used as necessary, and the Pedal Bicycles (Safety) Regulations 2010 require all bicycles at point of sale to be fitted with a bell. The Regulations do not compel cyclists to keep a bell fitted to the bicycle after purchase, however, and the Government has no plans to change this.

Aviation: Coronavirus

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect on regional economies of job losses in aviation as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Department for Transport is actively monitoring the impact on jobs in the aviation sector from Covid-19 at the national and regional level, with support from other government Departments. The unprecedented reduction in demand as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak means the aviation sector’s labour market has suffered a significant impact. The aviation sector and associated supply chain has seen a high uptake of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and tens of thousands of proposed redundancies, with impacts likely across the regions of the United Kingdom.

Airlines: Coronavirus

Liz Twist: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to take immediate action against Airlines that fail to comply with consumer rights legislation during the covid-19 pandemic.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Department has been clear that airlines and travel agents should not deny consumers their legal right to a refund, if it is requested and this should be done in a timely manner. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) undertook a review of the refund policies of all UK airlines, as well as a number of international airlines that operate flights to and from the UK. The CAA has utilised this review to influence airlines to change their processes and practices in order to improve performance in providing refunds. The CAA’s actions have led to an improved quality of service and performance from most airlines. The CAA continues to work with carriers to drive down waiting times, but balancing the support businesses need during this unprecedented situation. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a number of challenges. The department is keen to work with the regulator, industry and consumer groups to learn lessons from pandemic, to make changes that are practicable and deliverable.

Aviation: Coronavirus

Claudia Webbe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to work with airlines to provide refunds for customers who have been forced to cancel holidays as a result of local covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Kelly Tolhurst: The department is in regular contact with industry and has encouraged businesses to act fairly during this unprecedented event. Whether a consumer is entitled to a refund will depend on the terms and conditions of the contract in place. Consumers are encouraged to first contact travel providers or accommodation providers for reimbursement. In the next instance, credit card providers may be able to provide a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 if the payment was made by credit card.

Travel: Coronavirus

Abena Oppong-Asare: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether support is in place for people whose travel insurance did not cover their having to cancel their holiday as a result of being unable to secure a mandatory covid-19 test before travelling.

Kelly Tolhurst: Whether a consumer is entitled to a refund depends on the terms of the contract in place or the terms and conditions of the insurance policy. Consumers are encouraged to first contact travel providers or accommodation providers for reimbursement. In the next instance, credit card providers may be able to provide a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 if the payment was made by credit card. The department is in regular contact with industry and has encouraged businesses to act fairly during this unprecedented event.

TravelUp

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has met with TravelUp to discuss the implications for his policies of their proposals for airlines to protect customers' money in trusts.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Department has not met with Travelup to discuss their proposals. The department has been clear that airlines and travel agents should not deny consumers their legal right to a refund, if it is requested and this should be done in a timely manner. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) undertook a review of the refund policies of all UK airlines, as well as a number of international airlines that operate flights to and from the UK. The CAA has utilised this review to influence airlines to change their processes and practices in order to improve performance in providing refunds. The CAA’s actions have led to an improved quality of service and performance from most airlines. The CAA continues to work with carriers to drive down waiting times, but balancing the support businesses need during this unprecedented situation. The department is keen to work with the regulator, industry and consumer groups to help the sector return to normal. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a number of challenges and the department will be learning lessons from the pandemic, to make changes that are practicable and deliverable.

Ryanair: Coronavirus

Alec Shelbrooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Ryanair on (a) the continuation of that airline's flights to Spain and (b) the provision of vouchers or refunds to its customers who cancel a flight in order to adhere to Foreign and Commonwealth Office's guidance advising against all but essential travel to Spain.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Department has not had any discussions with Ryanair about the continuation of flights to Spain. Aviation is a private industry and these are commercial decisions for individual airlines. Where a flight or holiday has been cancelled the Department has been clear that airlines should not deny consumers their legal right to a refund, if it is requested and this should be done in a timely manner. Many businesses are trying to do the right thing during this unprecedented time, but where the regulator has evidence of businesses taking advantage of this crisis, we would expect them to act.

Maldives: Coronavirus

Christian Matheson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's guidance, Coronavirus (covid-19): travel corridors, published on 3 July 2020, what plans he has to include the Maldives on that list; and what criteria his Department uses to decide which countries to include on that list.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Government takes a range of factors into account when deciding which countries to add or remove from the Travel Corridor list. This includes: an estimate of the proportion of the population that is currently infectious in each countryvirus incidence rates and rates of changetrends in incidence and deathstransmission status and international epidemic intelligenceinformation on a country’s testing capacity, testing regime and test positivity ratean assessment of the quality of the data availableeffectiveness of measures being deployed by a countryvolume of travel between the UK and that country?We recognise how important travel and tourism is for the Maldives. However, inbound travel from the Maldives presents a high risk to the UK given continued elevated incidence of COVID-19 indicating community transmission of the virus. The Government keeps the list of travel corridors under constant review. We will make further exemptions when we are sure that we can do so safely and responsibly.

Tunisia: Coronavirus

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons Tunisia has not been added to the travel corridor list.

Kelly Tolhurst: Our approach to travel corridors has been guided by the science and we have worked closely with health and policy experts from across government to ensure the steps we are taking will minimise the risk of importing COVID-19 cases. Although Tunisia is not included currently on the list of travel corridors, the Health Regulations relating to the self-isolating requirements remain under constant review.

Portugal: Coronavirus

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to lift quarantine restrictions for people returning to the UK from Portugal.

Kelly Tolhurst: Portugal was added to the travel corridor list on 22 August.

Portugal: Coronavirus

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the evidential basis is for Portugal being identified as a country where quarantine arrangements are still required for travellers between Portugal and the UK.

Kelly Tolhurst: Portugal was added to the travel corridor list on 22 August.

Aviation: Coronavirus

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the (a) scientific and (b) technical advice that informed the Government's decision to exclude Portugal from the Government's air bridge scheme.

Kelly Tolhurst: Portugal was added to the travel corridor list on 22 August.

Travel: Coronavirus

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he next plans to review the list of countries not subject to covid-19 travel quarantine exemptions; and how frequently those reviews are being undertaken.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Health Regulations relating to the self-isolation requirements remain under constant review, and are updated as required. The country exemption review takes place each week.

Travel: Coronavirus

Christian Matheson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to include Portugal on the list of countries from which people are not required to quarantine on return to the UK; and what criteria he will use to make that decision.

Kelly Tolhurst: Portugal was added to the travel corridor list on 22 August.

Large Goods Vehicles: EU Countries

Alec Shelbrooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to introduce International Road Permits for HGVs entering the UK from 1 January 2021 in the event that a reciprocal agreement is not secured in negotiations on the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU.

Rachel Maclean: It is in both the UK and EU’s interests to secure liberalised rights for UK and EU hauliers to carry goods between our respective territories without the need for additional documentation, such as permits. The Government will communicate arrangements informing operators on how to prepare for the end of the transition period in good time. This will cover any changes to documentation requirements.

Motorcycles: Coronavirus

Zarah Sultana: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the feasibility of powered two-wheelers as an alternative to public transport while capacity is reduced for covid-19 social distancing.

Rachel Maclean: The Department’s guidance issued on 12 May refers to “Private cars and other vehicles” as an alternative to using public transport and encourages the public to “consider all other forms of transport before using public transport”. This would include private vehicles such as motorcycles and mopeds where the journey to be made is appropriate.

Electric Vehicles

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to (a) increase the number of electric vehicles on the UK's roads and (b) ensure the adequate supply of electricity for those vehicles.

Rachel Maclean: The Government is investing?around?£2.5bn?,?with grants available for ultra-low emission vehicles, as well?as funding?to support charge point infrastructure at homes,?workplaces,?on residential streets?and across the wider roads network. The Government consulted on bringing forward an end to the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans, from 2040 to 2035, or earlier if a faster transition appears feasible. The responses are helping to inform our thinking on what further appropriate measures to achieve a faster transition will need to be. The Transport Secretary has also announced that the Government will consult on measures to improve the consumer experience of using the public charging network, so that charging an electric vehicle is as straightforward as refuelling a conventional vehicle today. The Government and Ofgem are considering the implications of electric vehicle policy for the energy system. We are engaging with stakeholders, including network companies, to ensure that increasing demand can be accommodated whilst minimising the impact on businesses, workers and consumers across the UK, building on the significant demand and supply-side measures in place. The impacts presented in the National Grid’s latest Future Energy Scenario are readily manageable by the electricity system. The capacity market is our principal tool for ensuring we have sufficient generation capacity to meet demand on an annual basis. It should be possible to manage additional demand arising from greater uptake of EVs through adjustments to the amount of capacity secured in the four-year period ahead Capacity Market auctions. The electricity market is already set up to promote investment in generation capacity to meet demand; for example, the Contracts for Difference scheme facilitates significant investment in low-carbon generation. This complements numerous measures to ensure a smarter, more flexible energy system, increasing the efficiency of the electricity system to prepare for electric vehicles.

Roads: Coronavirus

Abena Oppong-Asare: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance he has issued to (a) local authorities and (b) businesses on the access needs of disabled people when making changes to roads, pavements and parking spaces as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department published statutory guidance to local authorities under the Traffic Management Act 2004, providing advice on the changes that Government expects them to make to their road layouts to give more space to cyclists and pedestrians. This includes a reminder that local authorities need to be mindful of the requirements of equalities legislation, ensuring, for example, that in redesigning and reallocating road space they take careful account of the impacts this may have on disabled people. The guidance is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/reallocating-road-space-in-response-to-covid-19-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities.It is for local authorities to decide what measures are appropriate on their roads and what they are able to achieve with the resources they have. The Department for Transport has not provided guidance to businesses on this matter.

Motor Vehicles: Hydrogen

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the role of hydrogen passenger vehicles in de-carbonising transport.

Rachel Maclean: In 2018, the Department for Transport published the outputs of the Transport Energy Model. The model provides a clear assessment of the relative environmental impacts of a range of fuel and powertrain options for cars, vans, buses and heavy goods vehicles over the period to 2050, including hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The Government’s approach to delivering greener transport is technology neutral and we have provided support for hydrogen as a transport fuel where the market favours its use. For road transport this includes support through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, the £23m Hydrogen for Transport Programme, £2m Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle support scheme and funding for the purchase of 62 hydrogen fuel cell buses. Across road, rail, maritime and aviation Government is supporting research and development into hydrogen technologies recognising its potential to be a key fuel on the pathway to zero emissions.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of the decision not to extend the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme on (a) jobs and (b) businesses in the heating industry.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Non-Domestic RHI has provided support for over 20,000 renewable heating installations, creating green jobs, and helping to develop the GB renewable heating industry. The breadth and cost of an extension to the Non-Domestic RHI means that to provide good value for money for the taxpayer, we are applying a targeted approach in continuing support for the Non-Domestic low carbon heating industry. The Green Gas Support Scheme, due to launch Autumn 2021, is expected to help treble the level of green gas in the grid by 2030, creating further green jobs, particularly in rural areas. Sustained support for the industry will be provided through the new allocation of Tariff Guarantees, incentivising the more cost-effective Non-Domestic projects. We have also been keen to avoid potential job losses and damage to the industry that might result from delays due to Covid-19. Recently announcing an extension of 6 months for eligible NDRHI projects, that may struggle to meet the 31st March 2021 application deadline. Additionally, the soon to be launched Green Homes Grant Scheme which will fund up to two thirds of the cost of home improvements for over 600,000 homes, supporting over 80,000 jobs in green construction. For more information on these proposals please see the below links:GOV.UK page for information on the Green Homes Grant Schemehttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/green-homes-grant-scheme-register-as-a-certified-tradesperson-or-business; Consultation and Impact Assessment on Future Support for Low Carbon Heathttps://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-support-for-low-carbon-heat; Consultation and Impact Assessment NDRHI: Ensuring a Sustainable Schemehttps://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/non-domestic-renewable-heat-incentive-ensuring-a-sustainable-scheme; Announcements and Impact Assessment relating to further changes to RHI support and Covid-19 responsehttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-renewable-heat-incentive-rhi-schemes.

Termination of Employment: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will introduce an appeals process for people released from employment without their company first applying for the furlough scheme.

Paul Scully: Whilst we have encouraged companies to make use of the coronavirus job retention scheme (CJRS) and avoid making redundancies, there was no requirement that employers participate in the scheme as employers are best equipped to decide whether or not they furlough their employees. An appeals process would not be appropriate given the voluntary nature of the scheme. The legislation makes clear that any redundancy and dismissal process should be fair and reasonable. Employees with the necessary qualifying service who believe that they have been unfairly dismissed, or that the dismissal was unfair in some other way, may be able to complain to an employment tribunal.

Coronavirus: Personal Care Services

Holly Mumby-Croft: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans his Department has to review the date at which beauticians can perform the full range of treatments; and if he will consider regional covid-19 case levels in that review.

Paul Scully: The Government’s approach to business closures and lockdowns has always been guided by the scientific and medical advice. We will continue to monitor the data on transmission of the virus at regional and local authority level and will take action to reopen all closed businesses once we believe it safe to do so.

Termination of Employment: Coronavirus

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure businesses do not terminate staff required to self-isolate due to covid-19.

Paul Scully: Employees with the necessary qualifying periods are protected from unfair dismissal and employers who dismiss an employee because they are, or have been, self-isolating, may be liable for unfair or automatically unfair dismissal. However, there could be other factors which might be support a dismissal being considered to be fair. These factors will need to be reviewed by an employment tribunal and the tribunal’s decision will depend on all the circumstances in each individual case.

Redundancy Pay: Eligibility

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans his Department has to review the (a) weekly income limit, (b) maximum number of qualifying years and (c) other eligibility criteria and limitations on the Statutory Redundancy Pay Scheme.

Paul Scully: Any employee who is dismissed due to redundancy and who satisfies certain qualifying conditions has a statutory entitlement to a lump sum from their employer, based on their age, length of service and contractual weekly earnings, subject to a statutory upper limit, payable at, or soon after, the dismissal date. The statutory redundancy scheme is intended to provide a minimum “safety net” of entitlement for vulnerable employees, and the legislation leaves the parties free to negotiate and agree improvements on the statutory entitlement according to their own priorities, needs and circumstances. We introduced new legislation which commenced on 31 July to ensure that furloughed employees who are subsequently made redundant receive statutory redundancy pay, statutory notice pay, unfair dismissal compensation and pay for short-time working based on the employee’s normal pay, rather than their furlough pay (potentially 80% of their normal wage). The Government has always urged employers to do the right thing and not seek to disadvantage furloughed employees who are facing redundancy.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Alec Shelbrooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that high street lenders do not require firms to conduct costly third party audits before being considered for a loan under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

Paul Scully: There are now over 90 accredited lenders of CBILS and individual lending decisions remain at the discretion of these lenders. We would expect a lender to follow its normal credit policy when assessing security. There has been significant demand for the Scheme and lenders are fully aware of the current urgency, so we expect them to respond appropriately to their customers’ needs. Since the CBILS was introduced, Government has made several improvements to speed up the application process and ensure businesses are getting the support they need. These include:- Clarifying that all lenders should use automated, rather than manual, credit checks when assessing the viability of a business;- Removing the forward-looking viability test;- Removing the per lender portfolio cap; and- Removing any requirement for the main lenders to interact with the British Business Bank systems before issuing loans.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to (a) extend the repayment period from six to over 10 years and (b) increase the level of Government support for the loan from partial to total, to assist businesses in accessing the finance they require.

Paul Scully: The Government continues to hold a regular dialogue with the British Business Bank and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) lenders to monitor its implementation. We regularly engage with businesses themselves, and the finance industry association – UK Finance – to gather feedback on all the support schemes to identify areas for improvement.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Nickie Aiken: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of amending British Business Bank lending criteria to allow businesses which have accumulated losses greater than half of their share capital access to loans under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

Paul Scully: Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) lending criteria relating to accumulated losses are driven by State Aid rules. The Government continues to hold a regular dialogue with the British Business Bank and CBILS lenders to monitor its implementation. We continue to receive feedback on all our support for businesses and will seek to identify any areas for improvement.

Businesses: Coronavirus

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what financial support is available to businesses which operate childcare activity groups in rented spaces and who have lost income as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Paul Scully: The Government put forward a package of support to help businesses with their ongoing business costs in recognition of the disruption caused by Covid-19. This included the?Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund (RHLGF).?This funding was provided to support the smallest businesses and small businesses in some of the sectors?hardest hit by the measures taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In addition, on?1 May,?the Government announced the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund. This scheme was intended to support small businesses?in some of the hardest hit sectors?that were previously outside the scope of the Small Business and Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Grant Funds. We asked local authorities to prioritise the following types of businesses for grants from within this funding pot:Small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces. Examples could include units in industrial parks, science parks, and incubators which do not have their own business rates assessment.Regular market traders with fixed building costs, such as rent, who do not have their own business rates assessment.Bed & breakfasts which pay Council Tax instead of business rates.Charity properties in receipt of Charitable Rate Relief, which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief. Local authorities have been responsible for defining the precise eligibility for this Fund?and?may choose to make payments to other businesses based on local economic need,?subject to those businesses meeting the specific eligibility criteria. Guidance for Local Authorities was published 13 May: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding. Businesses which were not eligible for or have not received grant funding should be able to benefit from other measures in the Government’s unprecedented package of support for business:?https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder

Bounce Back Loan Scheme

Holly Mumby-Croft: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that small businesses whose otherwise viable credit rating has been impacted by the covid-19 outbreak will be eligible to receive funding under the Government's Bounce Back Loan scheme.

Paul Scully: Almost all viable UK-based businesses are eligible to apply for a loan under the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS). You can apply for a loan if your business- is based in the UK;- was established before 1 March 2020;- has been adversely affected by coronavirus. There are no current plans to change the eligibility data, further details of which can be found on the British Business Bank website. Decision-making on whether a business is eligible to access the BBLS is fully delegated to the accredited lenders for the scheme, and individual lending decisions remain at the discretion of these accredited lenders.

Clothing: Factories

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the exploitation of people working in UK garment factories.

Paul Scully: In light of the very serious recent allegations of illegal and unsafe working conditions for garment workers in Leicester, a multi-agency Taskforce, led by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has been set up in Leicester to enable the relevant enforcement bodies to work together at pace to take appropriate action against unscrupulous employers and individuals who exploit workers. The taskforce includes: HMRC National Minimum Wage; Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate (BEIS); Leicestershire Police; National Crime Agency; Leicester City Council; Department for Work and Pensions and Immigration Enforcement (Home Office). The Taskforce has identified around 200 businesses and premises for investigation and is conducting a programme of site visits. We are also working with industry through the Apparel and General Merchandise Public and Private Protocol, a partnership between enforcement bodies and industry partner – including the British Retail Consortium, UK Fashion and the Textile Association – aimed at tackling all forms of labour exploitation in the garment trade. The Government is committed to improving enforcement of employment rights. We have announced the intention to introduce a Single Enforcement Body, which will provide a clearer route for workers to raise a complaint and get support, enabling more coordinated enforcement action and the use of pooled intelligence to better target proactive enforcement.

WH Smith: Post Offices

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of planned reductions in posts at WH Smith on the Post Office network.

Paul Scully: The Department have made no such assessment given that WHSmith’s restructuring programme is not expected to impact Post Office services provided in WHSmith stores. The review of WHSmith’s operations is to ensure the company is able to navigate the current uncertain economic times, particularly as a result of the decline in travel during Covid-19. However, the Department has an open dialogue with both Post Office Limited and WHSmith and will keep monitoring the situation.

Future Fund: Coronavirus

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many businesses have taken loans through the Future Fund scheme in each (a) nation and (b) region of the UK; and what proportion of the loaned money has gone to each (i) nation and (ii) region.

Paul Scully: On 18th August the British Business Bank published updated Future Fund data which gives a regional breakdown of 590 companies that have been approved for £588.3m. Of the total amount of £588.3m, 17% is to companies headquartered in the South (South East and South West), 10% in the North (North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber), 8% in the East of England, 3% in the Midlands (East Midlands and West Midlands) and 3% in the Devolved Nations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). London accounts for the remaining 59% of companies. Further detail from the most recent update is available here: www.british-business-bank.co.uk/future-fund-publishes-diversity-data-of-companies-receiving-convertible-loan-agreements-3/.

Bounce Back Loan Scheme

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many businesses have taken loans through the Bounce Back Loan scheme in each (a) nation and (b) region of the UK; and what proportion of the loaned money has gone to each (i) nation and (ii) region.

Paul Scully: On 16th August the British Business Bank published updated Bounce Back Loan data which states 1,174,854 companies have been approved for £35.47bn. In regional data published on 7th August: of the total amount of £35.47bn, 22% is to companies headquartered in the South (South East and South West), 21% in the North (North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber), 10% in the East of England, 14% in the Midlands (East Midlands and West Midlands) and 12% in the Devolved Nations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). London accounts for the remaining just over 20% of companies. More information on the business interruption loan schemes can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/collections/hm-treasury-coronavirus-covid-19-business-loan-scheme-statistics.

Origin Marking

Sir Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if the Government will make it its policy to ensure the country of origin is displayed on consumer products bought (a) online and (b) offline.

Paul Scully: Under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, retailers are required to provide the geographical address at which they are established. This will not necessarily indicate the place of manufacture of the goods but the consumer can request this information from the retailer when making the purchase and the retailer would be obliged under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 to respond accurately. The Government does not have plans to introduce further requirements.

Small Businesses: Regulation

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses.

Paul Scully: The Government announced the introduction of the Small and Micro Business Assessment (SaMBA) in June 2013. It requires that Impact Assessments provide clear evidence of the potential impact of regulations on small and micro businesses. The default assumption under SaMBA is that there will be a legislative exemption for small and micro businesses where a large part of the intended benefits of the measure can be achieved without including them. As a result of this policy, small firms can have confidence that future regulation will be more manageable for them and that they will not face disproportionate regulatory burdens. The Department is currently reviewing the way we account for regulatory impacts on business and considering options for future policies, and more detail will be announced in due course.

Business: Coronavirus

Mrs Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he will take to collaborate with regionally-focused private equity firms to help encourage local businesses to expand as the economy reopens and covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Paul Scully: The Government is already collaborating through regionally-focused private equity firms which are benefiting from funding from the government-backed British Business Bank (BBB) programmes such as the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, Midlands Engine Investment Fund and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund. As of June 2020, the BBB’s dedicated regional funds support more than £240m worth of finance. In order to support its regional activities further, BBB launched the £100m Regional Angels programme in 2018 – which is designed to help reduce regional imbalances in access to early stage equity finance for smaller businesses across all regions; and the UK Network – which engages with business finance stakeholders in each of the English regions and Devolved Nations, to increase small businesses’ awareness and understanding of the finance options best suited to their needs. The Future Fund is also open to companies from all regions and from all backgrounds. We are considering a range of options that look at enhancing both new and existing levers to increase the supply of equity finance, particularly in regions, as part of the 2020 Comprehensive Spending Review discussions in order to support local businesses to expand as the economy reopens.

British Business Bank: Coronavirus

Mrs Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if the British Business Bank will lower its interest rates to help support businesses to expand as the economy reopens and covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Paul Scully: The Business Interruption loan schemes are delivered by the British Business Bank through accredited lenders. Individual lending decisions are at the discretion of these lenders. The accreditation agreement makes clear that the interest rate at which the?lender is prepared to lend at, and any associated fees, should be based on a?lender’s normal pricing framework. For the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), the Government pays the interest and any lender-levied fees in the first 12 months. For BBLS the interest rate is set at 2.5% per annum.

Minerals: Canada

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with this Canadian counterpart on critical minerals.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Department continuously monitors the supply of critical minerals, working closely with the Department for International Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Details of meetings held by Ministers in the Department are recorded in our transparency data, which is published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/beis-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings.

Events Industry: Coronavirus

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will issue guidance on the re-opening of larger event and dinner venues, in particular on the numbers allowed to gather for (a) events and (b) dinners in enclosed spaces.

Paul Scully: The Government is continuing to engage with representatives from industry to explore how larger events may be resumed in a COVID-19 secure way, once it is safe to do so. We recognise the challenges events and dinner venues face and we will communicate any updates as soon as possible.

Energy: Conservation

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of designating energy efficiency as a national infrastructure priority; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Government is committed to delivering our net zero target and will take further steps to decarbonise the UK economy, including through the future publication of a National Infrastructure Strategy. The Government is also planning to publish a Heat and Buildings Strategy in due course, which will set out the immediate actions we will take for reducing emissions from all homes and buildings and set buildings on track for net zero. The Government remains committed to delivering the aspiration set out in the Clean Growth Strategy, to help as many homes as possible to reach EPC Band C by 2035, where practical, affordable and cost-effective.  My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer recently announced a net zero building package worth in excess of £3bn. This new funding represents a significant and accelerated down payment on decarbonising buildings, to help stimulate the economic recovery and create green jobs.

OneWeb: Investment

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much funding the Government plans to invest in the OneWeb satellite system.

Amanda Solloway: My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State confirmed that the Government will invest $500 million and take a significant equity share in OneWeb. This investment is made alongside Bharti Global Ltd. Bharti will provide the company commercial and operational leadership and bring OneWeb a revenue base to contribute towards its future success.

OneWeb: Cost Effectiveness

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what value for money assessment he has carried out on the Government's investment in the One Web satellite system.

Amanda Solloway: The Government carried out a detailed examination of the business which demonstrated a rational commercial case for investment. As my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State set out, even with substantial cuts to OneWeb's base case financial projections, the investment would have a positive return.

Companies: Climate Change

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that companies (a) produce (i) Paris climate change agreement-aligned and (ii) net-zero business plans and (b) manage other forward-looking climate risks.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The UK has led the way in delivering clean growth -growing by 75% while emissions have decreased by 43% between 1990 and 2018 - faster than any other G7 nation. Meeting our net zero target will require us to build on this progress by transforming our economy – our homes, our transport, our industries, how we generate and use energy, and how we use our land. This has to be a shared endeavour between Government, devolved nations, local authorities, business, civil society and the British people – as well as the rest of the world. We expect all publicly-listed companies and large asset owners to disclose in line with the Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) recommendations by 2022. Businesses implementing the TCFD recommendations will disclose information on the procedures they have in place for Board oversight of climate change and how it is factored into their risk management processes. We have also established a joint taskforce with the UK regulators to monitor the incorporation of climate financial risk into decision making. This will ensure a coordinated approach on climate-related issues and examine the most effective way to approach disclosure.

Green Homes Grant Scheme

Sir Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish (a) the eligibility criteria for and (b) further details on the New Green Homes Grant.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Guidance and further details about the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme were published on 28 August. This included information on eligibility, items where support can be claimed as part of energy efficiency measure installations, as well as items that will not be paid for under the voucher scheme. More details will be published in due course.

Housing: Energy

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of local authorities having a role in supporting initiatives to improve the energy efficiency of housing at scale in their local areas; what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on supporting local authorities to have that role; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Under the £2bn Green Homes Grant funding announced by my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8th July to save households money, cut carbon and create green jobs, £500 million has been earmarked for Local Authority delivery in England to ensure those in low-income households, who may be less likely to take up a demand-led voucher scheme, will be able to benefit from energy efficiency upgrades. Local Authorities have a comprehensive understanding of their local community and will be able to identify households through a variety of referral routes, such as a ‘cold home referral’ from the health and charity sectors. As fuel poverty is a devolved issue the geographic policy scope for the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery is for England only.

Energy Performance Certificates

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many homes he plans to upgrade to EPC Band C by (a) 2025, (b) 2030 and (c) 2035.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Government remains committed to the Clean Growth Strategy aim for as many homes as possible to be EPC Band C 2035, where practical, cost-effective, and affordable. In addition, for homes in fuel poverty, we remain committed to our statutory fuel poverty target of improving as many fuel poor homes as reasonably practicable to energy efficiency rating Band C by the end of 2030, as well as our interim target of Band D by 2025. There is no set number of homes to be achieved within those targets. However, the Heat & Building Strategy and the updated Fuel Poverty Strategy, which we plan to publish in due course, will set out how we intend to meet our commitments and set us on a path to decarbonising homes and buildings by 2050.

Heating: Fuels

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to reduce barriers to the adoption of (a) biopropane and (b) other new low carbon fuels for use in heating in off-gas grid buildings.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Government recognises?that biofuels, such as bioLPG and bioliquid alternatives to heating oil, may play a role in future off-gas grid decarbonisation. In 2018 BEIS ran an extensive programme of engagement with industry and consumers, to seek views on how industry, government and consumers could work together to phase out the installation of high carbon fossil fuels from homes and businesses off the gas grid. We will be consulting on proposals for this in due course. The Clean Heat Grant Scheme, which will run from April 2022 to March 2024, aims to provide targeted support for proven and ready to deploy low-carbon heating technologies that demonstrate value for money and carbon cost-effectiveness. This will follow the existing Renewable Heat Incentive scheme. We are also expecting to publish the Clean Heat Grant consultation response and a Heat and Buildings Strategy, which will further expand on the Government’s strategic direction, in due course.

Energy Performance Certificates

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of introducing operational performance ratings alongside Energy Performance Certificates for all non-domestic buildings.

Kwasi Kwarteng: We are planning to consult later this year on introducing operational performance ratings for commercial and industrial buildings. We aim to build on proven best practice and are working closely with industry, as well as with the devolved administrations, to design and develop the scheme to ensure it drives benefits across the UK.

Boilers: Fuel Oil

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to bring forward proposals to end the sale and installation of oil burning boilers; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: In the Clean Growth Strategy,?we committed to phase out the installation of high carbon fossil fuel heating in buildings not connected to the gas grid, starting with new build, during the 2020s. Our consultation on the Future Home Standard, launched last year, lays out our plans to phase out high carbon fossil fuel heating in new homes. We will respond to that consultation later this year. We also plan to consult later this year on changes to new non-domestic buildings’ energy standards. We will be consulting on phasing out high carbon fossil fuel heating in existing buildings off the gas grid in due course.

Heating: Carbon Emissions

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of creating a national delivery body to co-ordinate heat decarbonisation in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The?Clean Growth Strategy identifies heat as the most difficult decarbonisation challenge facing the country.??It will involve coordinating large-scale transformation and will require wide-ranging change to energy systems and markets. We have noted that some stakeholders have raised the potential merits of different models of national coordinating delivery body. We have committed to publishing a Heat and Buildings Strategy in due course, which will set out the immediate actions we will take for reducing emissions from buildings, as well as what longer term action is required to ensure we are on track for net zero.

Boilers: Hydrogen

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when the Government plans to bring forward legislative proposals to set a mandatory date for boiler installations to be hydrogen ready or part of a hybrid system; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Hydrogen could play a key role in eliminating our contribution to climate change by 2050 and is one of the options being explored to decarbonise heat in the UK alongside heat pumps, heat networks and biogas. However, further work is required to fully test and assess the potential of hydrogen as an option for decarbonising heating. Prototype ‘hydrogen-ready boilers’ are being developed under the £25m BEIS Hy4Heat programme. This programme is seeking to investigate if it is technically possible and safe to replace methane with hydrogen in appliances for residential and commercial buildings and evaluate the likely costs and performance. The programme is due to be completed in 2021, and the Department will be reviewing the outputs from this technical work as it progresses. The Government is planning to publish a Heat and Buildings Strategy in due course, which will set out the immediate actions we will take for reducing emissions from buildings.

Green Homes Grant Scheme

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether (a) Heat Batteries and (b) other A+ rated efficient innovative space-saving thermal stores will be included in the Green Homes Grant as (i) secondary measures to enable the effective and efficient utilisation of (A) air source and ground source heat pumps and (B) solar energy for hot water purposes, (ii) primary measures where they replace poorly-insulated hot water cylinders and (iii) primary measures where they replace inefficient night storage heaters or fossil-fuelled boilers for space heating.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Heat batteries are not eligible. Thermal stores as essential ancillary items for low-carbon heating, such as ground and air source heat pumps and solar thermal are eligible. Thermal stores are not eligible as primary measure where replacing fossil-fuelled boilers or night storage heaters for space heating.

Employment: Environment Protection

Mark Eastwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the potential effectiveness of the June 2020 Committee on Climate Change recommendation that his Department works with the Departments for Work and Pensions and for Education and the Home Office to develop a strategy for a Net Zero workforce that integrates relevant skills into the UK's education framework and actively monitors the risks and opportunities arising from the transition; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential effect of implementing that recommendation on young people affected by unemployment during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kwasi Kwarteng: We are determined to seize the economic opportunities of the net zero transition, including supporting up to 2 million green jobs by 2030 across all regions of the UK. The UK has a strong base to build upon – there are already over 460,000 jobs in low carbon businesses and their supply chains across the country. We are investing in the UK’s workforce to ensure that people have the right skills to deliver our transition to net zero. This summer, BEIS and DfE Ministers jointly hosted a roundtable with businesses and academics along with DfE to discuss skills and net zero, which is the start of a sustained work programme to take forward policy in this area. We will formally respond to the Committee on Climate Change June 2020 Progress Report on Reducing UK emissions in October.

Hydrogen: Garages and Petrol Stations

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what measurement traceability the UK uses for dispensed quantity at hydrogen refuelling stations.

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what capability Trading Standards has to investigate disputes on dispensed quantity at hydrogen refuelling stations.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Measuring equipment used for trade in hydrogen is regulated under the Weights and Measures Act 1985. It is an offence to use any measuring equipment for trade purposes which is false or unjust or to commit any fraud using it. Each Local Authority Trading Standards Department has a legal duty to enforce the Act and to ensure it has the capacity necessary for carrying out its functions in its local area. Where required, trading standards would test fuel dispensers in use for trade using instruments whose calibration or test is traceable to the national measurement standards. The Office for Product Safety and Standards provides central advice and technical support to Local Authority Trading Standards on metrology issues.

Carbon Emissions

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Government's response to the consultation on the future of UK carbon pricing published on 1 June 2020, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) merits and (b) costs of a carbon free and dividend policy; and for what reasons his policy is not to implement that policy at this time.

Kwasi Kwarteng: A carbon fee and dividend is an alternative form of carbon pricing policy. The UK already prices carbon through, for example, our participation in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The UK Government and Devolved Administrations are establishing a UK Emissions Trading System, with increased ambition on carbon pricing. The new system will ensure a smooth transition for businesses as the UK is set to leave EU system after the Transition Period at the end of the year, while also allowing us to have autonomy over its design and governance. The UK Government has, on 21 July, also published a consultation on the design of a domestic carbon emission tax as an alternative to a UK ETS. This option will ensure a carbon price remains in place in the UK in all scenarios.

Flats: Repairs and Maintenance

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what financial support is available to help with (a) repairing flat roofs and (b) other energy efficiency initiatives for an apartment complex for people who do not receive support from the social security system.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Green Homes Grant voucher scheme is available to homeowners and landlords for grant funding towards energy efficiency measures and low-carbon heat, covering up to two thirds of the cost up to a maximum of £5000.

Natural Gas: Russia

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much Russian gas is  imported into the UK; and what proportion of national gas consumption that represents.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Government publishes Energy Trends statistics, including for gas, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/gas-section-4-energy-trends. Table 4.1 shows production, total imports and demand. Table 4.4 shows import countries of origin. The UK gas market is one of the most liquid and developed markets in the world and provides security through diversity of supply. Most of the gas supply to the UK comes from domestic production (46 per cent in 2019), as well as imports from reliable suppliers like Norway (31 per cent in 2019). The remaining 23 per cent of supply was from pipeline imports from the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from a diverse range of sources. There are no gas pipelines directly linking the UK with Russia.In 2019, one-fifth of UK supply was from LNG. Within this, around 34 TWh of LNG was imported from Russia, representing less than 4 percent of the total supply of gas to the UK. The UK is in no way dependent on gas supply from Russia and our LNG was sourced from 12 different countries last year.

Wind Power

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what proportion of global wind turbine production is based in the UK.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Department does not hold this information for the global proportion of turbine production. Currently, the UK has capability in the production of wind turbine blades, foundations, and cables, most notably the Siemens Gamesa and MHI Vestas blade factories in Hull and the Isle of Wight respectively, employing over 1,500 highly skilled workers. The industry has committed in the Offshore Wind Sector Deal, to increase UK content to 60% from 50%, but more crucially to increase UK content in the capital expenditure phase. I am determined that the industry delivers on this commitment.

Solar Power

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the country of origin is for the majority of solar panels used in the UK.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Global solar panel production is mainly based in Asia, particularly China. The Department does not maintain detailed data on the country of origin of solar panels installed in UK.

Solar Power

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what proportion of global solar panel production is based in the UK.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Global solar panel production is mainly based in Asia. UK solar panel manufacture is focussed on specialised applications and the total volume of production is not globally significant.

Energy Supply: Investment

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking with Ofgem to ensure that investment decisions taken by the Distribution Network Operators are based on comprehensive, whole life cost benefit assessments; and if will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Energy network companies are regulated by the independent energy regulator, Ofgem, to ensure that they adequately maintain a safe and secure network whilst investing for the future and ensuring a fair price for consumers. In order to do this, Ofgem uses price controls to determine the revenues network companies may recover, the investment they may make and the performance standards they must deliver. Network regulation, including approval of investment decisions, is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Ofgem is currently developing the next electricity distribution price control, consulting with stakeholders during this process.

Ofgem

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether (a) manufacturers of electrical infrastructure products and (b) other industry stakeholders from across the supply chain will be represented on Ofgem’s Net Zero Advisory Group.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Ofgem has recently published the Terms of Reference for the Net Zero Advisory Group (link here). The Group will normally be made up of representatives from the following:Ofgem, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, HM Treasury, Department for Transport, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, National Infrastructure Commission, Committee on Climate Change and Citizens Advice. Where appropriate, the Group may invite internal or external experts to specific meetings and seek views from these parties outside of the meetings. The Terms of Reference may be reviewed and updated periodically.

Natural Gas

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has of the implications for his policies of the findings of the Opening up the Gas Market project by the Scottish Gas Network in 2016, on mixing different blends/compositions of natural gas in the localised Oban gas grid; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Scotland Gas Network’s (SGN’s) Opening up the Gas Market project tested unprocessed Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) which had a gas quality measurement above the statutory upper limit specified in Schedule 3 of Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 (GS(M)R). Through a controlled trial this gas was injected into the Oban network for a year. The project demonstrated that unprocessed LNG was safe to distribute and safe for consumers in the Oban network. As a result of the rollout of the Oban project unprocessed LNG above the statutory limit, has been injected into the Scottish Independent Undertakings at Oban, Campbeltown, Wick and Thurso since 2015 under a rolling exemption from GS(M)R. Following this, the Department has been working closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to review the regulation of gas quality as a safety measure through GS(M)R. The increased availability of imported natural gas and low carbon gas alternatives means there is a need to widen the specification of gas permitted under GS(M)R, provided that any change is demonstrated to be safe. Project Oban successfully demonstrated the safety case for amending the upper statutory limit. The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) industry working group has proposed a series of amendments to the GS(M)R and a new IGEM Gas Quality Standard. HSE and BEIS intend take forward these and other changes to GS(M)R as part of a consultation in 2021.

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the take up of the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme has been in each year since the scheme opened in 2011.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Government publishes monthly deployment statistics for both Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (DRHI) and the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (NDRHI), available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/renewable-heat-incentive-statistics. The table below provides data correct as of July 2020.  DRHINDRHIYearTotal Accredited ApplicationsYearTotal Accredited Applications2011NA201122012NA20126942013NA20132,109201416,38120144,282201523,49120156,21620167,94120162,57120177,83120171,87120186,94620181,238201911,574201983120206,209 (up to the end of July)2020575 (up to the end of July)

Energy Companies Obligation and Green Homes Grant Scheme

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of merging the Green Homes Grant and the Energy Company Obligation schemes to enable cost efficiencies to co-fund energy efficiency updates.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Green Homes Grant and the Energy Company Obligation schemes both have different objectives, target audiences, eligibility criteria and funding mechanisms, therefore, it would not be appropriate for the schemes to be merged.

Green Homes Grant Scheme

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he will take to ensure the quality of work undertaken under the Green Homes Grant scheme is consistent with that carried out under the Energy Company Obligation scheme; and who will monitor that work.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The requirements for works carried out under the Green Homes Grant scheme are in line with those carried out under the Energy Company Obligation scheme and must be to Publicly Available Specification 2030 standards. Tradespeople must be registered with TrustMark, and certified with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) where installing heating measures. Under TrustMark and MCS, installer organisations have their work regularly inspected to ensure that works achieve consistent quality.

Green Homes Grant Scheme

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure the new Green Homes Grant scheme complements the existing Energy Company Obligation scheme without competing against or effecting the Energy Company Obligation supply chain.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The requirements for tradespeople completing work under the scheme are in line with the requirements for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, requiring similar high standards of work, such as Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 2030 certification. Multiple measures can be installed in one home from both ECO and the Green Homes Grant (GHG) schemes. Millions of additional homes that would not be covered by ECO will be eligible to benefit from the GHG to deliver significant carbon reductions and thermal savings. The GHG will also build capacity and skills in the supply chain for longer-term decarbonisation objectives.

Solar Power and Wind Power

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much electricity would be generated by the £1.26 billion of Renewable Obligation Certificates which biomass for electricity receives if the money was redirected to (a) offshore wind, (b) onshore wind and (c) solar; and will he make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng: Generating stations under the Renewables Obligation scheme receive support for up to 20 or 25 years, depending on when they accredited. As they have a statutory right to their existing support, as set out in the scheme’s implementing legislation, it would be inappropriate to redirect that support to other technologies.

Shipbuilding: Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Mick Whitley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential benefits to local economies of awarding contracts for the construction of Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleet solid support ships to British shipyards.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Department recognises the important role that naval procurement programmes play in creating construction opportunities in British shipyards and across the marine engineering supply chain. The procurement of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleet solid support ships is a matter for the Ministry of Defence (MoD).The Department works closely with the MoD to support the opportunities for UK construction of these vessels through the MoD led National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Night Clubs

Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of businesses and industry bodies representing nightclubs.

Paul Scully: Departments publish quarterly details of Ministers’ meetings with external organisations on GOV.UK. Details for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/beis-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings. The latest published data covers January to March 2020. Data for April to June 2020 will be published in due course.

Post Office: ICT

Kevin Hollinrake: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many sub-postmasters employed directly by McColls stores are known to have been removed from their employment as managers of branch sub Post Offices in McColls stores on grounds of alleged shortfalls in their Post Office Horizon branch accounts since 2000.

Paul Scully: The Government recognises the critical role that post offices play in communities and for small businesses across the UK.While the Government sets?the strategic direction for the Post Office, it allows the company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent business. As such, the number of postmasters employed by McColls and who were subsequently removed as managers on grounds of alleged Horizon shortfalls are an?operational matter for?Post Office Limited.?I have asked Nick Read, the Group Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the Hon. Member about this matter. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.??

Personal Care Services: Coronavirus

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support the beauty industry during the covid-19 outbreak.

Paul Scully: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has worked closely with representatives from the hair and beauty industry to ensure that they could reopen safely as soon as it was possible to do so and based on the evolving science. We are pleased that the industry has now reopened. While the industry was forced to close, the Government put in place an unprecedented package of financial support which was available to those working in the beauty industry.

Minerals: Industry

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the UK has a critical mineral strategy.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Government’s strategy for securing access to critical minerals, or any other key materials and components, is to work at a global level to secure free, fair, and open international trade of these materials.

Minerals: Industry

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many (a) FTSE 100, (b) FTSE 250 and (c) AIM listed mining companies are producing critical minerals as defined by the British Geological Survey.

Nadhim Zahawi: This information is not collected or published by central Government.

Electric Vehicles

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of electric vehicles that will be produced in the UK in each year up to 2030.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Faraday Institution, which supports UK battery development, estimates that the UK will be producing nearly 1.6 million electric vehicles (EVs) per year by 2040. The report ‘UK electric vehicle and battery production potential to 2040’ can be downloaded from the Faraday Institution’s website at: https://faraday.ac.uk/publications/. The Government continues to create the right environment to support an increase in the production of EVsin the UK. We have announced up to £1 billion through the Automotive Transformation Fund to develop UK supply chains for the large-scale production of EVs and for further research and development (R&D). £10 million of funding will enable the first wave of innovative R&D projects to scale-up manufacturing of the latest technology in batteries, motors, electronics, and fuel cells. The Government is also encouraging industry to put forward investment proposals for the UK’s first ‘gigafactory’ and to support supply chains to mass manufacture cutting-edge batteries for the next generation of EVs, as well as for other strategic electric vehicle technologies.

Electric Vehicles: Fuel Cells

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what proportion of electric vehicles produced in the UK have fuel cells that are produced in the UK.

Nadhim Zahawi: The UK has world leading expertise in hydrogen fuel cells. However, this is a nascent market and the Department does not routinely collect specific figures. The number of fuel cell vehicles currently being produced in the UK is low, being predominantly commercial vehicles. The UK is well-placed to be a leader in hydrogen and fuel cell powered transportation, which can support our ambitions for greener transport. The Government is supporting fuel cell manufacturers as part of the £1 billion industry-Government Advanced Propulsion Centre programme and the Automotive Transformation Fund. In addition, we are supporting the wider market through our £23 million Hydrogen for Transport Programme, which is increasing the number of publicly accessible hydrogen refuelling stations, as well as deploying hundreds of vehicles.

Hydrogen: Finance

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to make a decision on whether to fund a clean fuels metrology centre.

Amanda Solloway: The UK is committed to tackling climate change and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It is also committed to backing business and unleashing innovation through a doubling of R&D investment. A clean fuels metrology centre, based in Scotland, would provide UK industry with the measurement tools to support decarbonised fuel supply chains, which are themselves critical to achieving these goals. A decision on whether to fund a clean fuels metrology centre will be taken in due course.

Aerospace Industry: Coronavirus

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he will take to involve precision engineering companies in (a) Bosworth and (b) the UK in the post-covid-19 recovery of the UK’s aeronautical industry.

Nadhim Zahawi: We regularly discuss post-Covid-19 recovery with aerospace companies across the UK, including through the Aerospace Growth Partnership. The UK’s aerospace and aviation sectors are benefiting from over £8.5 billion from the Government’s Covid-19 business support measures, including the Coronavirus Corporate Financing Facility, support for research and development, supply chain performance improvement programmes, and export finance.

Jet Zero Council

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what work has been undertaken by the Jet Zero Council on producing the first zero carbon transatlantic passenger jet.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Jet Zero Council met on 28 July, creating a partnership between industry and the Government to drive high ambition in the delivery of new technologies and innovative ways to cut aviation emissions. The Council has been set up to develop bold, new thinking on ways to develop UK capability to tackle zero emission commercial flight.This includes considering how to develop and industrialise clean aviation and aerospace technologies, establish UK production facilities for sustainable aviation fuels, and develop a coordinated approach to the policy and regulatory framework needed to deliver net zero aviation. The Department, alongside the Department for Transport, will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders on delivering our Jet Zero ambitions.

Marriage: Coronavirus

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the 30 person limit for weddings includes staff at the wedding venue.

Paul Scully: As set out in COVID-19: Guidance for wedding and civil partnership receptions and celebrations, 30 people is the maximum number for all attendees at the event, including the couple and guests. It also includes any third-party suppliers, such as photographers or security. It does not include staff employed by the venue or third-party catering staff.

Business: Coronavirus

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what additional support he plans to make available to businesses that remain closed as a result of covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Paul Scully: The Government has introduced a comprehensive package of support to help businesses during this difficult period. These include the small business grants, the coronavirus loan schemes, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, deferral of VAT and income tax payments, and more. There has been significant support to date, and there is still funding to be disbursed. BEIS will continue to work closely with local authorities, businesses, and business representative organisations to understand whether there is additional need. The Government’s priority has been to act to reduce the high levels of Covid-19 infection and, ultimately, it is only by controlling the virus that lockdowns can be lifted, allowing businesses to reopen and operate more normally.

Companies: Registration

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2020 to Question 57275, which proposals for Companies House reform are still under consideration and not finalised.

Paul Scully: The Government is currently considering a broad package of reforms to Companies House to ensure it is fit for the future and continues to contribute to the UK’s business environment. Last year’s consultation on Corporate Transparency and Register Reform received a significant number of responses and an official government response with detailed proposals for the way forward will be published shortly.

Registration of Overseas Entities Bill

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Government’s commitment to have an operational register in place in 2021, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals for the Registration of Overseas Entities Bill.

Paul Scully: The Government remains determined to ensure there is no safe space for illicit finance or corruption in our society. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) completed a landmark review of the UK’s regime for tackling money laundering and terrorist financing in December 2018, concluding that we have some of the strongest controls in the world.The register will be the first of its kind in the world. It is essential that the new requirements are workable, proportionate and that the register strikes the right balance between improving transparency and minimising burdens on legitimate commercial activity.The Government is amending the draft Registration of Overseas Entities Bill in line with the recommendations of the 2019 Joint Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Committee. This will make the legislation as effective as possible in tackling the use of UK property for the purpose of money laundering.I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made updating the House of Commons on its progress in May 2020, Official Report, 21 July 2020, Column HCWS413.

Local Government Finance: Coronavirus

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, by what date local authorities are required to return underspend from the coronavirus business grant schemes.

Paul Scully: Local authorities have now closed their Business Grant Funds and are in the process of making final payments to businesses. These must be complete by 30 September.

Attorney General

Trespass: Prosecutions

Andrew Griffith: To ask the Attorney General, what is the prosecution rate is for trespass committed in (a) Sussex and (b) England.

Michael Ellis: The CPS does not maintain a central record of prosecutions which involved trespass. This information could only be obtained by an examination of CPS case files, which would incur disproportionate cost. Trespass is not of itself a criminal offence. However, there are some offences in which trespass is an essential element. The tables below set out the most common examples of such offences, where a prosecution commenced in the Sussex Police Force Area and in England, during each of the last three years. Offences recorded in the CPS Case Management Information System are those which reached a hearing. There is no indication of the final outcome or if the charged offence was the substantive charge at finalisation. It should be noted that the figures relate to the number of offences and not the number of individual defendants. It may be the case that an individual defendant is charged with more than one offence.TABLE (A) SUSSEX POLICE FORCE AREA  2017-20182018-20192019-2020Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 61(4) }Failing to comply with a police direction to leave land000Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 62B }Failure to comply with a direction under s62A to leave land: alternative site available000Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 63 }Failure to comply with a direction to leave land: attending or preparing for a rave000Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 65 }Failing to comply with a direction not to proceed to a rave000Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 68 }Aggravated trespass120Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 69 }Failing to comply with a direction: aggravated trespass020Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 76 }Trespassing during the currency of an interim possession order (“IPO”)040Criminal Law Act 1977 { 6 }Violence to secure entry242019Criminal Law Act 1977 { 7 }Adverse occupation of residential premises.000Criminal Law Act 1977 { 8 }Trespassing with a weapon of offence010Criminal Law Act 1977 { 9 }Trespassing on premises of a foreign mission000Firearms Act 1968 { 20(1) of and Schedule 6 }Trespass in a building with a firearm or imitation firearm000Firearms Act 1968 { 20(2) of and Schedule 6 }Trespass on land with a firearm000Public Order Act 1986 { 14B(3) and (7) }Inciting another knowingly to take part in a prohibited assembly000Public Order Act 1986 { 14C(3) and (5) }Failing to comply with a direction: trespassory assembly.000Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment Act 2012 { 144(1) and (5) }Squatting in residential premises.110 Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System TABLE (B) ENGLAND  2017-20182018-20192019-2020Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 61(4) }Failing to comply with a police direction to leave land081Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 62B }Failure to comply with a direction under s62A to leave land: alternative site available000Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 63 }Failure to comply with a direction to leave land: attending or preparing for a rave200Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 65 }Failing to comply with a direction not to proceed to a rave100Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 68 }Aggravated trespass3845114Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 69 }Failing to comply with a direction: aggravated trespass174036Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 { 76 }Trespassing during the currency of an interim possession order (“IPO”)140Criminal Law Act 1977 { 6 }Violence to secure entry1,4131,2711,081Criminal Law Act 1977 { 7 }Adverse occupation of residential premises.200Criminal Law Act 1977 { 8 }Trespassing with a weapon of offence542Criminal Law Act 1977 { 9 }Trespassing on premises of a foreign mission040Firearms Act 1968 { 20(1) of and Schedule 6 }Trespass in a building with a firearm or imitation firearm502Firearms Act 1968 { 20(2) of and Schedule 6 }Trespass on land with a firearm445Public Order Act 1986 { 14B(3) and (7) }Inciting another knowingly to take part in a prohibited assembly101Public Order Act 1986 { 14C(3) and (5) }Failing to comply with a direction: trespassory assembly.2113Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment Act 2012 { 144(1) and (5) }Squatting in residential premises.303925 Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System

Department of Health and Social Care

Social Services: Finance

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it was Government policy to link the increase in social care funding allocated to local councils during the covid-19 outbreak to the transfer of (a) untested and (b) covid-19 positive patients from hospitals to care homes.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Drugs

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the public have uninterrupted access to over the counter medicines in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Drugs and Medical Equipment

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to ensure that buffer stocks of (a) prescription medicines and (b) medical products and devices from the UK's EU exit stockpile are being replenished before December 2020; and how many weeks' worth of each such products will be stockpiled.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Medical Equipment

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether medicines and medical supplies will be treated differently at the UK-EU border to other items following the transition period.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Radioisotopes

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure access to medical radio-isotopes in the event that an agreement is not reached on a future relationship with the EU by the end of the transition period.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Obesity: Health Services

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the number of people with severe and complex obesity who used (a) Tier 3 weight management services and (b) Tier 4 weight management services by local authority in each of the last five years.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Obesity

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the number of people with severe and complex obesity by local authority in each of the last five years.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Obesity: Liver Diseases

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's report, Tackling obesity: empowering adults and children to live healthier lives, published on 27 July 2020, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of that strategy on the number of people with (a) non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and (b) liver cirrhosis.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Obesity: Health Services

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's report, Tackling obesity: empowering adults and children to live healthier lives, published on 27 July 2020, what assessment his Department has made of the potential cost savings to the public purse of (a) specialist weight management clinicals provided by multidisciplinary teams and (b) bariatric surgery for patients with severe and complex obesity being routinely introduced; and if he will make a statement.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Obesity: Health Services

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's report, Tackling obesity: empowering adults and children to live healthier lives, published on 27 July 2020, what plans his Department has to support general practitioners to refer patients with severe and complex obesity to (a) Tier 3 weight management services and (b) Tier 4 weight management services.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what additional steps his Department is taking to tackle sexually transmitted diseases.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Screening

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to increase the number of walk-in covid-19 testing centres available to people without vehicle access in urban areas.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Brighton and Hove

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the residents of Brighton and Hove will have access to a local covid-19 testing site following the closure of the AMEX stadium regional test centre on 25 August 2020.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Cancer: Redbridge

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for cancer patients in the London Borough of Redbridge.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Health Services: Redbridge

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve referral to treatment times in the London Borough of Redbridge.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Screening: Redbridge

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to phlebotomy services in the London Borough of Redbridge.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Screening: Redbridge

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of waiting times and access to phlebotomy services in the London Borough of Redbridge.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Nutrition: Medical Equipment

Mr Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the 5,000 DNA Nudgebox machines will be rolled out across NHS hospitals.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Screening

Mr Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to increase laboratory capacity in the covid-19 antigen testing system.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Screening

Mr Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the (a) existing and (b) planned covid-19 daily testing capacity separately for (i) antigen testing and (ii) antibody testing.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Members: Correspondence

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his meeting with the hon. Member for Bristol East's constituent Jake Ogborne on access to the drug Spinraza on 23 June, and his response to the hon. Members for Bristol East's question in the House on 20 July, Official Report, column 1857, when he will provide the hon. Member with details of his correspondence with NHS England on access to Spinraza.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Care Quality Commission: Publicity

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reasons the Care Quality Commission is prevented from promoting its Give Feedback on Care service through all media channels; and whether his Department plans to amend that position.

Ms Nadine Dorries: There are no specific restrictions placed on how the Care Quality Commission (CQC) promotes Give Feedback on Care via media channels.However, the CQC is publicly funded and is mindful of obtaining the best value for money when promoting public campaigns related to its Give Feedback on Care service. Any costs over £100,000 are required to go through the Cabinet Office expenditure approval process and due to the potentially significant costs in securing some types of media promotion, the CQC instead uses a range a delivery channels, including voluntary sector partners, social media and low cost digital marketing, to raise awareness of their role and purpose and to support and encourage more people in England to feedback on their experienced or raise concerns.

Pregnancy: Screening

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing will be available at no cost as part of the screening pathway for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’s syndrome and Patau’s syndrome throughout NHS England by March 2021.

Ms Nadine Dorries: There will be no cost to individuals to screen for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome in the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) when it is carried out under the NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme. NIPT will be introduced as an ‘evaluative roll out’ by March 2021. The proposed timeline is dependent on the ongoing COVID-19 response and the ability of the National Health Service to respond to the anticipated tender process.

GP Surgeries: Coronavirus

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that GP surgeries are adequately insured against litigation in the event that a patient contracts covid-19 while visiting their practice.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Indemnity arrangements are in place to indemnify healthcare professionals working in general practitioner (GP) surgeries through the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice, administered by NHS Resolution. This indemnity cover is available to GP surgery staff if they are engaged by a GP practice, the main business of which is to provide National Health Service primary medical services. This includes salaried GPs, locums, students and trainees, nurses, clinical pharmacists, agency workers and other practice staff. In addition, all GP surgeries must have their own public liability insurance policies in place as part of the day-to-day running of the practice business.To ensure there are no gaps in indemnity coverage, the Coronavirus Act 2020 provides additional powers to provide clinical negligence indemnity arising from NHS activities related to the COVID-19 outbreak, where there is no existing indemnity arrangement in place.

Batten Disease: Coronavirus

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, what advice his Department has published on shielding for patients with Batten Disease.

Jo Churchill: Batten disease is not one of the specific health conditions identified by expert clinicians and signed off by the Chief Medical Officer that put someone at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Some patients with Batten disease may have been advised to shield, but this will be because they have been recommended to do so by their general practitioner or hospital specialist, due to other health conditions or individual clinical circumstances. National shielding advice has been paused since 1 August, although it remains in place for some local areas where incidence of the disease remains high.

Genito-urinary Medicine: Coronavirus

Elliot Colburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the reopening of sexual health services after the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Sexual and reproductive health services remained open during the pandemic. However physical access remains more limited. Services are maintaining access during this time through scaling up of online services including increasing eligibility through current provision or utilising a neighbours’ service for residents of another local authority. Public Health England has recently launched the National Framework for e-Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. This new national framework will allow local authorities and service providers to purchase an expanded range of online services including emergency contraception and the contraceptive pill.

Drugs: Young People

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support the families of young people who misuse substances.

Jo Churchill: Health, care and other professionals continue to have vital safeguarding functions to identify and support children and young people at risk from substance misuse. Public Health England (PHE) is working with other Government departments to help prevent young people from developing alcohol and drug problems. This includes supporting investment in programmes which have a positive impact on young people, giving them the confidence, resilience and risk management skills to resist drug and other substance use.PHE’s FRANK website and helpline provides impartial, reliable and confidential information and advice about drugs and provides resource for young people, parents and concerned others. The FRANK website can be accessed at the following link:https://www.talktofrank.com/

Obesity and Smoking

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the continuation of work relating to (a) obesity and (b) smoking after the dismantling of Public Health England.

Jo Churchill: Alongside work to establish the National Institute for Health Protection, the Government will continue to focus on health improvement and preventing ill-health with support from the expert teams currently located in Public Health England (PHE), who will continue with their excellent work. We do not envisage any changes to where those responsibilities will sit before spring 2021. We will be engaging with an external stakeholder advisory group to develop options on where PHE’s health improvement functions would be best placed in order to support the public health system and improve the public’s health.

Coronavirus: Ethnic Groups

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what advice he is giving to other Departments on ways to reduce the increased risk covid-19 poses to black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities.

Jo Churchill: The Government has implemented specific measures, guided by medical and scientific expertise, to reduce the spread of the virus in all communities. For example, Public Health England has been working with the Government Equalities Office in order to help departments take a consistent approach to risk mitigation and guidance, including for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities where relevant, and support engagement with sector representatives on key issues that arise during the pandemic.We are concerned that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate effect on people from BAME backgrounds, which is why the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities (Kemi Badenoch MP) has been tasked to lead the Government's work tackling this issue. With the support of the Race Disparity Unit, the Minister is also reviewing the effectiveness and impact of current actions being undertaken by relevant Government departments and their agencies to directly lessen disparities in infection and death rates of COVID-19.

Ophthalmic Services

Elliot Colburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve eye health services.

Jo Churchill: Prevention, early detection and access to timely treatment are all key to improving eye health. The Government has well-established programmes on reducing smoking and obesity, both long terms risk factors for vision loss.Free National Health Service sight tests, a vital eye health check, are available to all children, those aged 60 and over, individuals on low incomes or at increased risk of certain eye diseases. Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes which can lead to sight loss. The diabetic retinopathy screening programme continues to offer screening to those eligible.NHS England and NHS Improvement’s national outpatient transformation programme is also looking to improve secondary care ophthalmology outpatient services, to improve patient experience, access to care and outcomes.

Hygiene: Products

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will review whether alcohol-free hand sanitisers which are independently lab-certified to be effective can be included in public guidance alongside alcohol-based products.

Jo Churchill: The Government’s advice is for people to wash their hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, or after being in public areas where other people are doing so and to use hand sanitiser if that is all they have access to.The Government agrees with the World Health Organization recommendations that hand sanitiser should contain a minimum of 60% alcohol, but in line with Health and Safety Executive guidance, hand sanitisers with different levels of alcohol, and those hand sanitisers that use other active substances (non-alcohol based) can also be effective.

Protective Clothing: Retail Trade

Mr Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the definition of shop in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place) (England) Regulations 2020 applies to seated waiting areas in car (a) showrooms and (b) repair and servicing business premises.

Jo Churchill: ‘Shops’ within the regulations means any building, room or other indoor establishment which is open to the public in whole or in part and is used wholly or mainly for the purposes of retail sale or hire of goods or services. Therefore, face coverings must be worn in the waiting areas in car showrooms and repair and servicing business premises.

Cancer: Mental Illness

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have been diagnosed with cancer and a mental health condition in the UK in each region of the UK in each year from 2014.

Jo Churchill: Data on the number of people diagnosed with cancer and a mental health condition are not available in the format requested.

Prostate Cancer: Screening

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a screening service for prostate cancer.

Jo Churchill: The United Kingdom National Screening Committee (UK NSC) opened its three-month public consultation of prostate cancer screening/prostate-specific antigen testing in men over the age of 50 in June 2020. The consultation is due to close on 21 September 2020.The UK NSC will then review the evidence and comments received before making a recommendation.Further information and how to participate in the consultation is available at the following link:https://legacyscreening.phe.org.uk/screening-recommendations.php

Health Services: Ventilation

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the document entitled, Revision of Health Technical Memorandum HTM 03-01: Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare Premises; and whether that document is in compliance with the standards (a) BS EN 16798-3: 2017 and (b) Eurovent 4-23 (October 2018 guidelines).

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of  introducing (a) H14 and (b) HEPA air filtration in healthcare premises to (i) improve air quality and (ii) reduce the prevalence of covid-19.

Jo Churchill: In line with the guidance in BS EN 16798-3: 2017 High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are specified as required by the design for the indoor environmental air quality. Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 03-01: Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare Premises is currently being updated and is going through final draft review and approval processes as is normal for all technical guidance. The revision will take account as appropriate of the BS EN 16798-3: 2017 and Eurovent 4-23 (October 2018 guidelines).

Dental Services: Homelessness

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that homeless people are able to access dental treatment during the covid-19 outbreak.

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that the disproportionate effect of covid-19 on BAME communities does not further exacerbate (a) oral health inequalities and (b) lower dental attendance rates among some ethnic minorities.

Jo Churchill: The Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement are working hard to ensure that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on existing inequalities is minimised. During the pandemic peak face to face dentistry was limited to urgent care only provided from over 600 urgent dental centres. However, from 8 June all National Health Service dental services including practices, community dental services and bespoke services aimed at particular groups such as homeless people were permitted and encouraged to reopen for urgent and routine care at as fast a pace as is compatible with patient and staff safety. In the letter announcing the restart, NHS England and NHS Improvement set out clear guidance that in the sequencing and scheduling of patients for treatment as services resume organisations should take into account the urgency of patient needs and the particular unmet needs of vulnerable groups. A copy of the letter can be found at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/Urgent-dental-care-letter-28-May.pdf The Chief Dental Officer issued a further letter and an updated standard operating (SOP) procedure to further assist NHS dental service recovery on 28 August. A copy of this letter and SOP can be found at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/C0690-dental-update-letter-from-sara-hurley-28-aug-2020.pdf https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/dental-standard-operating-procedure-transition-to-recovery/

Brain: Coronavirus

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of evidence behind reports that covid-19 can cause brain injury; and what steps he is taking to ensure brain injury charities are able to meet a potential increase in demand for services.

Helen Whately: The UK Research and Innovation-National Institute for Health Research Rapid Response Rolling Call has funded a large post-hospitalisation study. The study, announced in July, will establish a national consortium and a research platform embedded within clinical care to understand and improve long-term outcomes for survivors following hospitalisation with COVID-19.In recognition of the impact on charities, including brain injury charities, in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and a potential increase in demand for services, a number of measures have been put in place. Including a funding package of £750 million for the wider voluntary and charity sector. In addition, charities can access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and are able to benefit from the three-month VAT deferral scheme.

Coronavirus: Ethnic Groups

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department has published for Black, Asian and minority ethnic NHS (a) patients and (b) employees in response to the findings of Public Health England’s report: ‘Beyond the data: Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups, published in June 2020.

Helen Whately: In April, the Chief People Officer, launched a comprehensive programme to address the issue of impact of COVID-19 on the black, Asian and minority ethnic workforce underpinned by three principles of protecting, supporting and engaging staff. On 28 April NHS Employers published risk assessment guidance, which was subsequently updated on 29 May. On 12 May the Faculty of Occupational Medicine published a risk reduction framework to support risk assessments. In addition, on 24 June NHS England and NHS Improvement wrote to all National Health Service trusts to encourage deployment of risk assessments for all ‘at risk’ groups within four weeks.The Government has also provided a wide range of guidance to support the country in tackling COVID-19. Considerable efforts are now underway including work with stakeholder groups to help ensure messages are disseminated into different communities in culturally appropriate ways. For example, in Leicester, assets have been translated into 12 different languages, and a range of local community voices, such as faith leaders and local general practitioners, are engaged in supporting the campaign.

Wales Office

Football

Paul Bristow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Football Association of Wales and (b) the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on relaunching the British Home Football Championship.

David T C Davies: The Secretary of State for Wales and his officials, have not to date had discussions specifically on relaunching the British Home Football Championship. However, the department does have regular discussions with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to discuss UK sport and Wales’ position within it.

Department for Education

Apprentices: Public Sector

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to meet the public sector apprenticeship target for 2020-21.

Gillian Keegan: The department is maintaining strong performance on its internal apprenticeship programme, having met the public sector target for the past 3 years. We have made plans for the department to support the government’s Plan for Jobs through 4 external apprentice recruitment campaigns during the Autumn. We are also changing our recruitment approach, to ensure that all Executive Assistant and Executive Officer positions are filled using apprenticeships, for a pilot period between 1 September to 31 December 2020.

Department for Education: Digital Technology

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans his Department has to hold discussions with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on that Department's digital strategy which is planned to be published in autumn 2020.

Nick Gibb: The Digital Strategy addresses the increased importance of digital technology and the crucial role it must play to drive growth in the tech sector, especially as digital technology has been at the centre of support through the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognise the critical importance of digital skills both in everyday life and for the wider UK economy. Alongside other Government Departments, we are working with DCMS to support their vision for digital driven growth through the Digital Strategy.We have already made significant investments in digital skills that supports the acquisition of digital skills from foundation level right through to those required for cutting edge digital industries. The new computing curriculum (introduced from September 2014) ensures pupils have the broad knowledge and skills they need to go on to specialise in innovative technologies and become active creators of digital technology. This new curriculum is supported by the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), which has been set up with £84 million of government funding. The NCCE are delivering a comprehensive programme to improve the teaching of computing and drive up participation in computer science, particularly amongst girls.We are investing an additional £500 million per year on the implementation of new T Levels. The first of three new Digital T Levels (Digital Production, Design and Development) will be introduced this September with a further two (Digital Support and Services and Digital Business Services) to follow in 2021.The Government is also investing up to £290 million of capital funding to establish 20 Institutes of Technology. These institutes will be the pinnacle of technical training, with unique collaborations between further education colleges, universities and businesses offering higher technical education and training in key sectors such as digital; digital is a popular sectoral specialism with 30% of the provision of the first 12 IoTs aligned to the digital technical route.Finally, the Government introduced a new digital skills entitlement based on the new national standards in August 2020. Adults with no or low digital skills will have full funding to undertake improved digital skills qualifications, based on new national standards for essential digital skills, up to Level 1. The Government is also providing £2.5 billion (£3 billion when including Barnett funding for devolved administrations) for a new National Skills Fund to help adults learn new skills and prepare for the economy of the future. We will be consulting on the National Skills Fund in due course when those with an interest are better able to actively engage with it.

Schools: Coronavirus

Christian Wakeford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that schools are able to reopen safely during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nick Gibb: The Government has been clear that all pupils, in all year groups, should return to school full time from the beginning of the autumn term. The Department published guidance to help schools prepare for this on 2 July. The guidance can be viewed at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.The above guidance sets out measures which provide a framework for school leaders to put in place proportionate protective measures for children and staff, whilst also ensuring that all pupils receive a high quality education that enables them to thrive and progress.This includes the public health advice schools must follow to minimise the risks of COVID-19 transmission. The public health advice in the guidance makes up a PHE endorsed system of controls, building on the hierarchy of protective measures that have been in use throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. When implemented in line with a revised risk assessment, these measures create an inherently safer environment for children and staff where the risk of transmission of infection is substantially reduced. Measures include minimising contacts between groups and maintaining distance where possible, encouraging regular handwashing, and enhanced cleaning.All staff, pupils and their families will continue to have access to testing if they develop COVID-19 symptoms, and every school and college that has been attended by someone who tests positive will receive direct support and advice from their local PHE health protection team. Schools and colleges are also being provided with an initial supply of home testing kits to provide to children and staff who develop symptoms while on site and who may otherwise be unable to access a test, as well as a delivery of PPE, provided free of charge by the Department of Health and Social Care for the small number of instances where this is needed.School employers and leaders are required by law to undertake a risk assessment to identify the risks the staff and pupils face and do everything reasonably practicable to minimise them, recognising they cannot completely eliminate the risk of COVID-19. School employers must make sure that a risk assessment has been undertaken to identify the measures needed to reduce the risks so far as is reasonably practicable and make the school COVID secure. General information on how to make a workplace COVID secure, including how to approach a COVID-19 risk assessment, is provided by the Health and Safety Executive guidance on working safely. This is available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/working-safely/index.htm.

Pupils: Quarantine

Jonathan Gullis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that no child misses time in education this year as a result of local lockdowns.

Nick Gibb: It is the Government’s intention that all pupils, in all year groups, return to school full time for the autumn term. On 2 July, the Department published guidance to support schools to do this. While our aim is to have all pupils back at school in the autumn, every school will need to plan for the possibility of a local lockdown and how they will ensure continuity of education. In local areas where restrictions have been implemented (from national direction), we anticipate that education and childcare will usually remain fully open to all. There may be exceptional circumstances in which some level of restriction to education or childcare is required in a local area. In those situations, local and national partners will carefully consider which tier of restriction, as set out in the Department of Health and Social Care’s Contain Framework, is the most appropriate to implement. The framework is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/containing-and-managing-local-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreaks/covid-19-contain-framework-a-guide-for-local-decision-makers#annex-3-tiers-of-national-restriction. The aim will be to retain as much face to face education and access to childcare as possible. These tiers of restriction will ensure that extensive limitations on education and childcare are a last resort, and that full time onsite provision is available for vulnerable children and children of critical workers in all cases.  Where a class, group or small number of pupils need to self-isolate, or there is a local lockdown requiring pupils to remain at home, we expect schools to have the capacity to offer immediate remote education. Schools are expected to consider how to continue to improve the quality of their existing offer and have a strong contingency plan in place for remote education provision by the end of September. Further information to support schools is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.

Academies: Uniforms

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department has issued to academy trusts on ensuring the affordability of school uniforms.

Nick Gibb: It is for the governing body of a school (or in the case of academies, the academy trust) to decide whether there should be a school uniform, what it will be and how it should be sourced. To support them to do this the department issues best practice guidance which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform.This makes clear that high priority must be given to cost considerations. The Department’s guidance clearly states that uniform items should be easily available for parents to purchase and schools should keep compulsory branded items to a minimum. It also states that schools should avoid single supplier contracts, but where schools do choose to enter into such contracts, they should be subject to a regular competitive tendering process.No school uniform should be so expensive as to leave pupils or their families feeling unable to apply to a school. The Government is pleased to support the Private Members' Bill to ‘Make provision for guidance regarding the cost aspects of school uniform policies’ which was recently introduced to Parliament on 5 February. This demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring that school uniform costs are reasonable.

Education: Standards

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment in the autumn term of the effect on children's progress of exposure during the covid-19 lockdown to different types and amounts of education technology and online learning.

Nick Gibb: Understanding the effect of time outside of the classroom, what factors have driven lost attainment and how quickly it is being recovered and how it is recovered over the next academic year is a key research priority for the Department to inform strategic policy for supporting the school system.To help schools provide effective online teaching, the Department has supported sector led initiatives such as Oak National Academy, which covers curriculum for every year group from reception through to year 11. The Department has also published guidance based on the current experiences and practices of teachers and school leaders so that other teachers can learn from examples of teaching practice during the COVID-19 outbreak as they develop their own approaches to providing remote education. This guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/remote-education-practice-for-schools-during-coronavirus-covid-19.The Department recognises that barriers to online access can make engaging with remote education more difficult, which is why we have committed £100 million to fund devices and 4G connectivity to help pupils overcome them.

Vocational Guidance

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when his Department plans to publish a new careers strategy.

Gillian Keegan: The Department for Education is currently working on an ambitious programme for further education (FE) and skills reform and a white paper. Our reform programme will level up the FE sector and the white paper will set out a vision for post-16 technical education. This will include making sure that young people and adults have access to the independent advice and guidance they need to progress into their chosen career, including employment or further academic or technical training.

Teachers: Protective Clothing

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his Department's policy is on teachers wearing face masks when schools return during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will publish his Department's risk assessment on that matter.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the evidential basis is for the decision to not advise school staff to wear personal protective equipment when schools resume in September 2020.

Nick Gibb: The Department has published guidance for the full opening of schools from the beginning of the autumn term. The guidance can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schoolsThe Department has worked closely with Public Health England (PHE) to develop this guidance based on a ‘system of controls’ which, when implemented in line with a revised risk assessment, create an inherently safer environment for children and staff where the risk of transmission of the infection is substantially reduced. This provides a framework for schools to put in place proportionate protective measures to manage risk effectively.The majority of staff in schools will not require personal protective equipment (PPE) beyond what they would normally need for their work. PPE is only needed in a very small number of cases, which are set out clearly in the guidance.On 26 August 2020, the Department revised its guidance on face coverings in schools and colleges following a new statement by the World Health Organisation on 21 August, which advised that children aged 12 and over should wear face coverings under the same condition as adults, particularly when they cannot guarantee at least a 1 metre distance from others and there is widespread transmission in the area. This guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-in-education/face-coverings-in-education.As a result, from 1 September, in areas of national Government intervention, face coverings should be worn by staff, visitors and pupils in years 7 and above when moving around schools indoors, for example in corridors and communal areas, where social distancing cannot be safely managed. Nationwide, schools will have the discretion to require staff, visitors and pupils in years 7 and above to wear face coverings in indoor communal areas where social distancing cannot be safely managed, if they believe that it is right in their particular circumstances.Primary school children will not need to wear a face covering and based on current evidence and the measures that schools are already putting in place, face coverings will not be necessary in the classroom even where social distancing is not possible. Face coverings would have a negative impact on teaching and their use in the classroom should be avoided.

Secondary Education: Curriculum

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of adding  critical thinking to the secondary school curriculum.

Nick Gibb: It is imperative that all pupils, irrespective of background, are taught a broad and ambitious knowledge rich curriculum, covering the core academic subjects, alongside a vibrant arts education that gives pupils a deeper appreciation of their culture. This has been the emphasis of the Government’s National Curriculum and qualifications changes, to ensure that more pupils are able to access ‘the best that has been thought and said’, and to think critically within their subjects.

Private Education: Charities

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the charitable status of independent schools.

Nick Gibb: The Department has made no recent estimate of the cost to the public purse of the charitable status of independent schools.In May 2018, the Department for Education and the Independent Schools Council (ISC) agreed a joint understanding designed to expand the participation of independent schools across the system through cross-sector partnerships and initiatives such as targeted bursaries. The Government continues to work constructively with the independent schools’ sector, in line with the joint understanding, to maximise the social benefits that can be generated for their communities.

Education: Digital Technology

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which (a) local authorities, (b) Academy Trusts and (c) other relevant organisations overseeing schools and social care responded to his Department’s invitation to order devices to assist with digital learning; and how many devices were requested by each respondent.

Nick Gibb: The Department has delivered over 220,000 laptops and tablets and over 50,000 4G wireless routers to children who would not otherwise have access, as part of over £100 million invested to support remote education and access to online social care.The devices were an injection of support to help local authorities (LAs) and academy trusts (trusts) to provide access to education and social care during the COVID-19 lockdown period. LAs and trusts were responsible for distributing the devices as they are best placed to know which children and young people need access to a device.On 27 August the Department published information on which LAs and trusts had received devices through the programme. This information can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/laptops-tablets-and-4g-wireless-routers-progress-dataWe are now supplementing this support by making an initial 150,000 additional devices available in the event face-to-face schooling is disrupted as a result of local Covid-19 restrictions this academic year, resulting in children become reliant on remote education.This scheme will enable schools to support disadvantaged children in years 3 to 11 who cannot afford their own devices. Schools will also be able to order devices for disadvantaged children across all year groups who are shielding as a result of official advice, all year groups who attend hospital schools and those completing their Key Stage 4 at a further education college.

Members: Correspondence

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 2 July 2020 from the hon. Member for Bradford South on covid-19 and free school meal vouchers.

Nick Gibb: I can confirm that a response has been sent to the letter from the hon. Member for Bradford South dated 2 July.

Technology: Adult Education

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to establish retraining programmes in (a) renewable energy and (b) other clean technologies for people that were made unemployed as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Gillian Keegan: Alongside wider adult skills reforms, the government is providing £2.5 billion (£3 billion when including Barnett funding for devolved administrations) over the course of the Parliament, for a new National Skills Fund to help adults learn new skills and prepare for the economy of the future.Work is progressing to develop detailed plans for the National Skills Fund, including considering what role the fund could play in response to Covid-19. We will be consulting on the National Skills Fund in due course when those with an interest are better able to actively engage with it.Apprenticeships will also have an important role to play in creating employment opportunities and supporting employers in all sectors to access the skilled workforce they need to recover and grow post-Covid-19. They can also help people re-train and re-enter the workforce. To help employers offer new apprenticeships at this time we’ve introduced a new payment of £2,000 for employers in England for each new apprentice they hire aged under 25, and a £1,500 payment for each new apprentice they hire aged 25 and over, from 1 August to 31 January 2021.

Schools: Hygiene

Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment the Government has made, ahead of schools returning in September 2020, of the (a) effectiveness and (b) safety of the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers in schools.

Nick Gibb: The Government has been clear that all pupils, in all year groups, should return to school full-time from the beginning of the autumn term and on 2 July we published guidance to help schools prepare for this. The guidance can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.The guidance sets out a system of controls which provide a framework for school leaders to put in place proportionate protective measures to minimise the risks of COVID-19 transmission, including cleaning hands thoroughly more often than usual.COVID-19 is an easy virus to kill when it is on skin. This can be done with soap and running water or hand sanitiser. Schools must ensure that pupils clean their hands regularly, including when they arrive at school, when they return from breaks, when they change rooms and before and after eating.Schools have been advised to consider whether they have enough hand washing or hand sanitiser ‘stations’ available so that all pupils and staff can clean their hands regularly. Schools have also been asked to supervise hand sanitiser use given risks around ingestion. Small children and pupils with complex needs should be helped to clean their hands properly. Skin friendly cleaning wipes can also be used as an alternative where required.

Young People: Training

Jonathan Gullis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to support young people into (a) apprenticeships and (b) training during the covid-19 pandemic.

Gillian Keegan: Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to start their careers, giving them the opportunity to earn while they learn, and will be more important than ever in helping businesses to recruit the right people and develop the skills they need to recover and grow, both now and in the long-term. Through our ‘Plan for Jobs’ a total of £1.6 billion is to be invested in scaling up employment support schemes, training and apprenticeships, with a particular focus on young people.We recognise that employers of all sizes currently face significant challenges. To help support employers to offer apprenticeships to young people, employers are now able to claim £2,000 for every new apprentice they hire under the age of 25, in recognition of the particular impacts of Covid-19 on the employment prospects of this group. This is in addition to the existing £1,000 payment we already provide for new 16-18-year-old apprentices and those aged under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan.We are also making an additional £111 million available to triple the scale of traineeships in 2020-21, and have extended eligibility to include young people with level 3 qualifications, to ensure more young people have access to high-quality training. We have also announced £101 million for a brand new offer to give 18 and 19-year-old school and college leavers the opportunity to study high value Level 2 and 3 courses when there are not employment opportunities available to them.

Vocational Guidance

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what additional support will be provided for careers guidance programmes to meet the potential increase in demand for retraining and employment advice as a result of job losses due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Gillian Keegan: As part of the Skills Recovery package, we are providing an extra £32 million to the National Careers Service which delivers impartial careers information, advice and guidance to adults and young people. This extra funding will be available until March 2022 and will provide personal careers advice and guidance for 269,000 more people in priority groups whose jobs or learning have been affected by COVID-19. This is additional to the 400,000 customers which the service currently supports.The National Careers Service is also supporting the delivery of the online Skills Toolkit. This is a new online platform which aims to give people easy access to free, high quality digital and numeracy courses to help them build up their skills, progress in work and boost their job prospects.

Children: Day Care

Claudia Webbe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans have been made to expand the 30 hours free childcare scheme to include children under the age of three with parents who are key workers.

Vicky Ford: This government is committed to making childcare more affordable and accessible. That is why the government offers a package of free childcare entitlements: 15 hours of free childcare a week for disadvantaged 2-year-olds; universal 15 hours for all 3- and 4-year-olds; and an additional 15 hours (30 hours free childcare) for eligible working parents of 3- and 4-year-olds.We introduced 30 hours free childcare for working families in September 2017. Many parents want to return to work and 30 hours free childcare supports them to do so. Responses to the Childcare and Early Years Survey of Parents show that in 2019, parents who applied for the 30 hours did so to maintain (39%) or increase (21%) their working hours. We are clear that the 30 hours offer aims to support eligible working families with the cost of childcare, and to support parents back into work, or to work more hours should they wish to, saving parents up to £5,000 per year in total if they use the full 30 hours. The 2019 Parents Survey backs this, with 78% of parents reporting improved family finances whilst using 30 hours.There is a wide range of support available for parents with childcare costs outside of the free early education entitlements, including for parents of children under the age of 3. With Tax-Free Childcare, for every £8 parents pay their provider via an online account, the government will pay £2 – up to a maximum contribution of £2,000 per child each year (up to £500 every 3 months), for children under 12. Eligible families can also get help with up to 85% of their childcare costs through Universal Credit, subject to a monthly limit.

T-levels: Student Numbers

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the level of student enrolment for T Levels courses starting in September 2020.

Gillian Keegan: Despite the challenges, 44 high performing colleges, schools and other providers will teach the first T Levels from this September. This is testament to the hard work and dedication of staff in these organisations. We have worked closely with the providers to support them over the summer as recruitment moved online and to monitor predicted student numbers.We will receive confirmed enrolment figures once the September recruitment has been formally reported. All indications are that recruitment has progressed well in the circumstances and a viable cohort of young people will benefit from taking these new, high quality qualifications, leaving them in a great position to move into skilled employment or further training.

Foreign Students: USA

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether UK students enrolled at US universities who cannot continue their studies there as a result of the covid-19 pandemic are eligible to apply for a student loan to finish their studies at a UK university.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will provide guidance to the Student Loans Company on how to handle applications from UK students enrolled in US universities who cannot continue their studies there as a result of the covid-19 pandemic and wish to resume higher education in Britain.

Michelle Donelan: Eligibility for student finance is governed by a range of criteria, including residency, type of course, where and how a student is studying, previous study and whether or not the student holds a higher education qualification.Generally, tuition fee support for full-time courses is available for the length of a student’s course, plus one extra year if needed, minus any years of previous study. Where a student has undertaken a previous full-time higher education course but has not achieved a qualification, previous study rules will generally apply to the calculation of tuition fee loan entitlement, apart from when the previous course was wholly self-funded (i.e. that the student received no public support from within the UK or elsewhere).However, the regulations make provision for students to receive a year’s additional tuition fee support where Student Finance England is satisfied that the student has been unable to complete a year of study for compelling personal reasons. Maintenance loans and supplementary grants are generally available to eligible students until an honour’s degree has been achieved.Student Finance England will assess students’ entitlement to funding in line with existing regulations and guidance. Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria, UK students who start studying in the US and later transfer to a UK higher education provider due to the COVID-19 outbreak may be able to access some student support for their new course.

Vocational Education: Assessments

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to provide further information on the reassessment procedure for students completing BTECs in summer 2020.

Gillian Keegan: As set out in the Secretary of State’s statement of 1 September, most vocational and technical qualifications were not subject to standardisation like GCSEs and A levels. However, where an element of standardisation was used for some vocational qualifications, awarding organisations have reviewed these grades. This was done to ensure fairness for all pupils.Pearson, the awarding organisation responsible for BTECs reviewed its results to ensure no BTEC pupils were disadvantaged and that consistency was achieved with the principles applied to GCSEs and A Levels. Pearson published guidance on how BTEC results were being reviewed. This is available at: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/campaigns/assessment-and-grading-in-2020.html. They have worked closely with schools and colleges throughout the process.The vast majority of VTQ results have now been issued or reissued. No students saw their VTQ results downgraded - results either stayed the same or improved.

Children: Day Care

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he plans to provide a financial support package for (a) childminders, (b) nurseries and (c) other Early Years Foundation Stage childcare providers when they re-open during the covid-19 outbreak.

Vicky Ford: Nurseries, childminders and pre-schools, who have provided crucial support throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, are now more vital than ever as hard-working families begin returning to work.We want to provide security to nurseries and childminders who are open for the children who need them. That is why on 20 July we announced that we will continue to fund childcare at the same level as before the COVID-19 outbreak, until the end of the year. This will give nurseries and childminders another term of secure income, regardless of whether fewer children are attending. Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, early years settings will continue to benefit from a planned £3.6 billion funding in 2020-21 to create free early education and childcare places for children.In addition to this, the government has provided a package of support for individuals and businesses which are directly benefitting providers of childcare. This includes business rates relief and grants, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, the Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the furlough scheme to retain staff, up to the proportion of their salary bill that would be considered as paid from public funding. More details are available here:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19.

Children: Mental Health

Mick Whitley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Children Society’s report entitled The Good Childhood Report 2020, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies on promoting the wellbeing of children.

Vicky Ford: The Good Childhood Report highlights a wide range of issues across children and young people’s lives which affect their wellbeing. The department has engaged with the Children’s Society and other sector organisations in recent months to discuss how we can continue to build support in different areas to improve their wellbeing.The report particularly highlights issues with peer relationships and appearance as being relevant to children and young people in England. These are among the topics that are covered in relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) which we are introducing in schools for the first time from this September, to ensure all pupils are taught about these aspects of their lives. The department is committed to supporting all schools in their preparations to deliver RSHE, and is providing an extensive range of training materials to support high quality teaching to all pupils, including a module on mental health and wellbeing, that we made available in July, to help schools focus on those issues as pupils return to school.The government has been supporting this with a significant focus on wellbeing and mental health support linked to schools and colleges to help them to promote good wellbeing. This includes our programme, jointly with NHS England, to provide mental health support teams linked to groups of schools and colleges which is rolling out across the country. Our commitment is to make available training to schools by 2025 to support them to put in place senior mental health leads. We know that around 80% of schools and colleges already have a dedicated staff lead in place. The training will support new and existing leads to put in place effective whole school approaches to mental health. This is in addition to longer term support to schools on tackling bullying, where we are providing £750,000, this year, to 3 organisations to help address different factors. We are also funding a large-scale programme of randomised control trials of different approaches to promoting wellbeing in schools to find out what works.We have also placed a particular focus on wellbeing support for children and young people during the COVID-19 outbreak and as they return to school and college. We have highlighted wellbeing in all our guidance, providing access to a range of materials and training.This includes 2 webinars delivered by the department in July, in collaboration with Public Health England and NHS England, to support teachers and local partnerships to further support children and young people’s mental health as they return to school. These reached thousands of teachers and other education staff.To further support the return in September, the government is investing £8 million in the Wellbeing for Education Return training and advice programme, which will provide schools and colleges ,all over England, with the knowledge and practical skills they need to support teachers, students and parents, to help improve how they respond to the emotional impact of the  COVID-19 outbreak. More information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/8m-programme-to-boost-pupil-and-teacher-wellbeing.

Pupils: Nutrition

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he has taken to ensure that children and young people have been receiving healthy and nutritious meals during the 2020 school summer holidays.

Vicky Ford: We knew that some families would face increased pressure on household budgets over the summer due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We therefore established the COVID-19 Summer Food Fund to provide supermarket vouchers for children who receive benefits-related free school meals.Families were free to select the most appropriate food and drink for their child. When selecting products, we encouraged families to consider health and nutrition and signposted that the School Food Standards act as a useful guide. There were a number of online resources available to support families in preparing healthy and nutritious food, including on the NHS Eat Well website and recipes produced by the Change4Life campaign.In addition, our £9 million Holiday Activities and Food Programme worked across 17 local authority areas, providing thousands of children with access to healthy meals and enriching activities. Family Action and Magic Breakfast also continued to offer healthy meals through our National School Breakfast Programme during the summer holidays in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.These schemes were part of a wider package of government support, which included a £63 million fund for local authorities to help those struggling financially due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. This allowed local authorities to provide financial help to those facing severe hardship to allow them to pay for food and other necessities.

After School Clubs

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what after-school support is available for the children of parents who are returning to work following the outbreak of covid-19.

Vicky Ford: As of 4 July, providers offering out-of-school activities and wraparound care to children, such as after-school, breakfast, and extracurricular clubs, have been able to open for both indoor and outdoor provision with safety measures in place.Out-of-school and after-school provision will continue to be permitted to operate both on or away from school premises during the autumn to support working parents and carers. We have updated the COVID-19 guidance for providers of holiday and after-school clubs and other out-of-school settings. The guidance outlines the protective measures that settings should put in place to minimise the risk of infection and transmission of the virus, and to operate as safely as possible when all children return to school. The guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/protective-measures-for-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak.

Students: Disadvantaged

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to help the most disadvantaged students catch up on learning missed during the covid-19 lockdown to prevent the attainment gap from widening.

Jonathan Gullis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to close the attainment gap between students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those from more affluent areas.

Vicky Ford: All children have had their education disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak, but it is likely that disadvantaged and vulnerable groups will have been hardest hit and initial analysis suggests that the attainment gap has widened. The government has announced a catch-up package worth £1 billion, including a ‘Catch-Up Premium’ worth a total of £650 million to support schools to make up for lost teaching time. To help schools make the best use of this funding, the Education Endowment Foundation has published a support guide for schools which is available here: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/covid-19-resources/national-tutoring-programme/covid-19-support-guide-for-schools/#nav-covid-19-support-guide-for-schools1.The guidance includes evidence-based approaches to catch up for all students and a further school planning guide for 2020-21, which is available here: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/covid-19-resources/guide-to-supporting-schools-planning/.Alongside this universal grant, a National Tutoring Programme worth £350 million will deliver proven, successful interventions to the most disadvantaged young people. Research shows high-quality individual and small group tuition can add up to 5 months of progress for disadvantaged pupils.Schools will continue to receive the pupil premium every quarter. Each school’s original pupil premium strategy may have not been met since March and the pupils’ needs may have changed or intensified. We recommend that, as part of the planning for needs-based universal catch up, school leaders review their pupil premium strategy and amend it to reflect the new situation from September.

Free School Meals

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, on what date the temporary extension of free school meals for children in families with No Recourse to Public Funds conditions will cease; and if he will publish a Children’s Rights Impact Assessment on the ending of that extension.

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of temporarily providing free school meals to certain groups of children subject to the No Recourse to Public Funds condition.

Vicky Ford: We are working with departments, across government, to evaluate access to free school meals for families with no recourse to public funds. In the meantime, the extension of eligibility will continue with the current income threshold until a decision on long-term eligibility is made. As part of this process, we will consider whether it would be appropriate to complete a Children’s Rights Impact Assessment.At this point data is not currently available regarding the current costs of providing free school meals to certain groups of children subject to the no recourse to public funds condition.

Children's Centres: Coronavirus

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance he has issued to children's centres on allowing physical contact for parents of children in temporary foster care during the covid-19 outbreak.

Vicky Ford: It is for local councils to decide how to organise and commission children’s centre services in their area. We are clear, however, that contact between children in care and their birth relatives is important, and we expect this contact to continue during the COVID-19 outbreak.Contact arrangements, including for children in temporary foster care, should be assessed on a case by case basis taking into account a range of factors. This includes the government’s guidance on social distancing, guidance on meeting people outside your household, and the needs of the child. It may not always be possible, or appropriate, for contact to happen at this time, and keeping in touch may need to take place virtually in certain circumstances. However, we expect the spirit of any court-ordered contact in relation to children in care to be maintained. Where face-to-face contact is not possible, we encourage social workers and other professionals to reassure children and parents that this position is temporary and will be reviewed as soon as it is possible to do so.Further information about contact arrangements for children in care is published in the COVID-19 guidance for children’s social care services, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-authorities-on-childrens-social-care.

Higher Education: Equality

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to improve diversity among (a) students and (b) academic staff in higher education.

Michelle Donelan: It is crucial that we tap into the talent the UK has to offer and that higher education is available to all who are qualified by attainment to pursue it.The government brought forward sweeping reforms of higher education to promote equality of opportunity through the Higher Education and Research Act (2017). This includes a mandatory condition of registration which requires all higher education providers in England registered with the Office for Students (OfS) to publish data including the number of applications for admissions, offers made and acceptance rates broken down by gender, ethnicity and socio-economic background. The OfS has issued guidance to higher education providers on how to comply with the transparency condition.Higher education providers wishing to charge higher level tuition fees must have an Access and Participation Plan agreed by the OfS. Through these plans, providers set out the measures they will take to ensure that students from disadvantaged backgrounds and unrepresented groups can access and succeed in higher education. Ambitious new five-year Access and Participation Plans have been agreed for 2020-21 to 2024-25, which include targets and measures to close long standing gaps in equalities.Recent data shows that the black ethnic group have seen the greatest proportional increase in progression rates to higher education by age 19 – from 44.1% in 2009-10 to 59.1% in 2018/19.The OfS has also made available online an interactive dashboard of data, which will help to evaluate access and participation at specific universities and colleges. The dashboard can be used to compare different student groups (for example, disabled students or students by their ethnic background) and their peers, and reveal gaps in access, continuation, success and progression. More information is available at: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/data-and-analysis/access-and-participation-data-dashboard/.Higher education providers are independent and autonomous institutions and are responsible for their own decisions on employment issues. We expect providers, like all employers, to give due consideration to their obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the way their employment practices affect different sections of their communities and staff at different stages of their careers.

Student Numbers

Jonathan Gullis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to help support universities increase the number of places available to students in the forthcoming academic year.

Michelle Donelan: I have written directly to all Vice Chancellors and have set up a Higher Education Taskforce so the government can work with the sector to build capacity, harness expert views, tackle challenges and ensure that the vast majority of students who want to go to university this year can do so. Together we have agreed that all students who achieved the required grades will be offered a place at their first-choice university, wherever possible.The government has already taken a number of steps to support universities and students to achieve this goal.The department has announced that, subject to parliamentary approval, we will completely remove temporary student number controls to help ensure there are no additional barriers to students being able to progress.We have lifted caps on domestic medicine and dentistry courses in the next academic year and we are supporting providers to offer places to as many students who have met the grades for their current offer as they have physical capacity for and, where there are clinical placements available, through additional grant funding to support the costs of this provision. Health Education England and the Office for Students (OfS) will be contacting all medical and dental schools to discuss their capacity to take on additional students in the 2020/21 academic year.Additional teaching grant funding will also be provided to increase capacity in medical, nursing, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and other high-cost subjects which are vital to the country’s social needs and economy. All high-cost subjects, which already receive additional funding from the OfS, will potentially see further increases where there is an unexpectedly high distribution of students. The OfS will consult the sector on the details of how the allocations are made.We are also working across government and with the sector to consider options that we could make available to students so that, if they defer their place, they have a full and varied range of career enriching opportunities to develop their skillset and support their future development.We will continue to monitor the situation and consider the effects that deferrals will have on future years. Funding decisions for future years will be taken at the Spending Review.

Care Leavers: Digital Technology

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many care leavers have benefited from the Government’s scheme to provide care leavers with access to technology and data.

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of care leavers aged 18 to 21 who do not have access to internet-enabled technology.

Vicky Ford: The department has delivered over 220,000 laptops and tablets and over 50,000 4G wireless routers to children and young people, as part of a £100 million investment to support remote education for disadvantaged students and to allow children with a social worker and care leavers to access support and services online. This includes over 148,000 devices for children with a social worker and care leavers.Guidance to local authorities identified care leavers as one of three priority groups for receipt of the laptops and routers. Local authorities are responsible for the distribution of devices, as they are best placed to identify which young people need one. The guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/laptops-tablets-and-4g-wireless-routers-provided-during-coronavirus-covid-19.The department does not collect data on the number of care leavers who do not have internet access. However, research published by Coram Voice in 2019 identified that 80% of care leavers had internet access at home, compared to 91% of young people aged 16-24 in the general population. A summary of the report is available here: https://coramvoice.org.uk/sites/default/files/cv-olbc-snapshot-a2-poster_1.4.19.pdf.

Pupils: Disadvantaged

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the National Tutoring Programme's aim to reduce the attainment gap that arises as a result of social disadvantage, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on tackling the sources of social disadvantage.

Vicky Ford: The government is committed to tackling the gap in attainment between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils, especially in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak and the time in school that many pupils have lost.There are several measures in place to help schools support the academic progress and attainment of their disadvantaged pupils. These include the provision of additional funding through the pupil premium, the inclusion of a disadvantage factor within the national funding formula for schools, and the provision of heavily subsidised tuition and in-school support for disadvantaged pupils through the National Tutoring Programme. While these initiatives use proxy measures of economic disadvantage (notably pupil eligibility for free school meals) to allocate funding and support to schools, school leaders have flexibility to tailor the help that they provide to disadvantaged pupils in order to address the particular needs that arise from their specific social and financial family circumstances.The measures for which the department is responsible form an important part of a wider cross-government commitment to addressing the effects of social and economic disadvantage and levelling up opportunity across the country. The department’s significant investment in schools and early years goes hand in hand with raising wages and increasing work incentives for the lowest-paid families, and a range of other national and regional actions to improve the infrastructure and promote growth.

Holiday Activities and Food Research Fund

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to publish the ECORYS evaluation of the 2019 Holiday Activities and Food scheme.

Vicky Ford: Last year, we commissioned Ecorys to carry out an independent evaluation of our 2019 Holiday Activities and Food Programme.The completion and publication of the final report has been delayed due to the impact of COVID-19. We continue to work with Ecorys on this and their report will be published at the earliest opportunity.

Postgraduate Education: Loans

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department plans to introduce maintenance loans for post-graduate education.

Michelle Donelan: Postgraduate master’s and doctoral degree loans are intended as a contribution to the cost of postgraduate study. The loan can be used by students according to their personal circumstances to cover tuition fees, maintenance costs or any other costs associated with study. There are no plans to extend this further.

Pupils: Counselling

Mick Whitley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department has issued to (a) schools and (b) further education providers on the provision of in-house counselling to support the mental health needs of young people following the covid-19 outbreak.

Vicky Ford: Getting children and young people back into education, with settings devoting time to supporting wellbeing, will play a fundamental part in supporting children and young people’s mental health. The return to school will allow social interaction with peers, carers and teachers, which benefits wellbeing. The department has now published detailed plans?for all children and young people to return to full-time education from September, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.We have been working hard to ensure that all pupils and learners will return to a full high-quality education programme in September. Our £1 billion COVID-19 catch-up premium, with £650 million shared across schools over the 2020-21 academic year, will support education settings to put the right catch-up and pastoral support in place. More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/billion-pound-covid-catch-up-plan-to-tackle-impact-of-lost-teaching-time.As pupils return to school, staff need to be equipped to understand that some children and young people may be experiencing feelings such as anxiety, stress or low mood as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and that these are normal responses to an abnormal situation. Our Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools Advice includes information about what to look for in terms of underlying mental health issues, linked to the graduated response and the support that might be suitable. More information is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and-behaviour-in-schools--2.From September, the government is investing £8 million to launch the new Wellbeing for Education Return training programme, which will provide schools and colleges all over England with the knowledge and practical skills they need to support teachers, students and parents, to help improve how they respond to the emotional impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. This is additional to ?longer term work to improve support, including?the?new?mental health support teams that we are rolling out?across the country,?linked to schools and colleges. More information is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/8m-programme-to-boost-pupil-and-teacher-wellbeing.This support will help schools to decide what provision to make for their pupils. Many schools already provide access to some counselling support. The government has produced guidance on how to put in place effective school-based counselling which schools can use where they decide further counselling support is appropriate for their pupils. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counselling-in-schools.Outside of school, access to mental health support has been more important than ever during the COVID-19 outbreak. NHS services remain open. Leading mental health charities are being supported to deliver additional services through the £5 million Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund. During Mental Health Awareness Week, the government also announced that a further £4.2 million will be awarded to mental health charities, including the Samaritans, Young Minds, and Bipolar UK.All NHS mental health trusts have been asked to ensure that there are 24/7 open access telephone lines to support people of all ages. Public Health England and Health Education England have also developed advice and guidance for parents and professionals on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing, which is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-supporting-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-and-wellbeing.

Adoption Support Fund

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Adoption Support Fund, how many claims have been received on behalf of previously looked after children on special guardianship orders (a) in financial year 2019-20 and (b) since 1 April 2020; how many of those claims have been successful (i) in total and (ii) by local authority area; and what the average amount awarded for those claims was (A) in total and (B) by local authority area.

Vicky Ford: The information requested is set out in the attached table.76701_76701_PDF (pdf, 453.1KB)76700_PDF (pdf, 451.6KB)

Adoption Support Fund

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Adoption Support Fund, how many claims have been received on behalf of adopted children (a) in financial year 2019-20 and (b) since 1 April 2020; how many of those claims have been successful (i) in total and (ii) by local authority area; and what the average amount awarded for those claims was (A) in total and (B) by local authority area.

Vicky Ford: The information requested is set out in the attached table.76701_76701_PDF (pdf, 453.1KB)76701_PDF (pdf, 453.1KB)

Ministry of Justice

Prisoners' Release: Homelessness

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) young adult, (b) other female and (c) other male prison leavers were released without an address to go to between 9 June 2020 and 17 July 2020 in (i) each region of England and (ii) Wales.

Lucy Frazer: The information for 9 June 2020 – 31 July 2020 is provided in the attached. Data for August 2020 is still being compiled and is not yet available.We continue to work with councils and charities to secure suitable accommodation, while investigating long-term solutions to prevent homelessness and help offenders turn their backs on crime.Annex - PQ 81739 & 81740 (xlsx, 12.5KB)

Emergency Services: Crimes of Violence

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of people given a custodial sentence for assaulting an emergency worker have been released before the half way point of their sentence on home detention curfew since the introduction of that offence.

Chris Philp: HDC is a robust scheme which allows prisoners to work towards rehabilitation in the community, while remaining subject to strict conditions. If they breach these, they face being returned to custody.The latest available data shows that, by 31 December 2019, 1,610 people had been sentenced to immediate custody for a main offence of assaulting an emergency worker contrary to section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 since it came into force in November 2018. By 31 March 2020, 98 people sentenced to immediate custody for such an offence had been released on HDC. We are not able to give the proportion of those sent to prison who have been released on HDC as it is possible that some of those sentenced by 31 December 2019 will have been released on HDC since 31 March 2020.

Sexual Offences

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans there are to amend the definition of position of trust in the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the resource implications of expanding the definition of abuse of position of trust in the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Alex Chalk: I recognise that there are concerns about those who might abuse their position of power over a 16 or 17-year-old to pressure them into engaging in a sexual relationship. Such behaviour is very likely to be caught by the robust laws we already have in place. Any sexual activity with a child under 16 is a criminal offence, regardless of whether consent is given. Any non-consensual sexual activity is also a crime, whatever the age of the victim and whatever the relationship between the victim and perpetrator. However, we remain absolutely committed to protecting children and young people from sexual abuse and we want to ensure that existing offences are being used effectively to tackle this behaviour, and that those working with young people understand their responsibilities and act appropriately. My department, working closely with colleagues across government, has taken forward a review of the existing law, to check that that it is working effectively and to ensure young people are protected. This is an complex area which remains a priority and we are now considering responses to the review and next steps, along with the impact of any changes including resources implications, with both pace and care.

Administration of Justice: Equality

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to (a) ensure objectiveness of judges and (b) tackle racial disparities in the justice system.

Alex Chalk: Statutory responsibility for the provision and content of training for the judiciary rests with the Lord Chief Justice as Head of the Judiciary in England and Wales, and the Senior President of Tribunals, in line with the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, and is delivered through the Judicial College. This provides a separation of powers which is crucial in maintaining and supporting the independence of the judiciary. As such, the job of ensuring the objectiveness of judges does not fall to the government. Judges are selected for appointment by the Independent Judicial Appointments Commission.Upon appointment, all judges take the Judicial Oath to “do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of this realm, without fear or favour, affection or ill will”. Judgments are made on the evidence presented at court; in criminal jury trials it is the jury which reaches a verdict on whether the defendant is guilty, and the judge’s responsibility is to ensure a fair trial. The Judicial College also provides cross-jurisdictional training for all new judges through a new faculty induction training course, which includes training in unconscious bias.Where racial disparities are observed, and there is no reasonable explanation, the Government is committed to responding by reviewing the process or practice in question. A Criminal Justice Race and Ethnicity Board coordinates actions being taken in relation to race disparity across all criminal justice operational agencies and policy-making functions; its work was reported on in February 2020. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-racial-disparity-in-the-criminal-justice-system-2020On 16 July 2020, the Prime Minister established the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities. The independent Commission is reviewing inequality in the UK, focusing on areas including education, employment, health and the criminal justice system. The commission will aim to submit its findings to the Prime Minister by the end of the year.

Repossession Orders: Coronavirus

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many property possession orders are (a) suspended and (b) pending in Cambridge due to the implementation of the eviction ban during the covid-19 outbreak in March 2020.

Alex Chalk: The information requested is not held centrally.

Private Rented Housing: Evictions

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many section 21 notices are pending in Cambridge due to the implementation of the eviction ban during the covid-19 outbreak in March 2020.

Alex Chalk: The information requested is not held centrally.

Offences against Children: Prosecutions

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prosecutions have been made under Section 66 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

Alex Chalk: Section 66 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 clarifies, updates and modernises some of the language in section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, which provides for the offence of child cruelty. Data on offence level prosecutions up to the year ending 31 December 2019, are available in the ‘Principal offence proceedings and outcomes by Home Office offence code data tool’, at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/888344/HO-code-tool-principal-offence-2019.xlsx To identify prosecutions, convictions and sentences for the child cruelty offence, filter ‘Offence code’ to ‘01103’ for ‘Cruelty to or Neglect of Children’. The number of individuals prosecuted in each of the last seven years can be found in row 31.

Debts: VAT

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether changes to the treatment of VAT on enforcement fees on judgement debt can be implemented without secondary legislation.

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which area of common law will allow for the implementation of the draft guidance on VAT on High Court Enforcement Officer Fees in its current form.

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of charging debtors VAT on enforcement fees on other additional costs being passed onto the debtor not detailed in the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014.

Alex Chalk: The draft guidance on the treatment of VAT on High Court Enforcement fees reflects the current law, both in the 2014 Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 and at common law. The 2014 Regulations made changes to the fees provisions in the HCEO Regulations 2004. Both the 2004 HCEO Regulations and 2014 Regulations allow for fees to be charged to the debtor. The 2014 Regulations were not intended to change the previously understood position at common law in relation to the recoverability of enforcement costs properly incurred including VAT where the creditor cannot account for it with HMRC, for example because they are not VAT registered. Some of the authorities in support of the proposition that a debtor may be pursued for a creditor’s enforcement costs and as to the continuing relevance of the common law to this area are Montague v Davies, Benachi & Co [1911] 2 K.B. 595 and Business Finance Ltd v Bellagio Hospitality WB Ltd [2019] EWHC 1920 (QB). Disbursements are dealt with separately under the regulations. As the draft guidance reflects the current law we do not envision additional costs being passed on to the debtor which are not included in the 2014 Regulations. The Government proposes to publish the guidance on the treatment of VAT on High Court Enforcement fees as soon as possible.

Civil Partnerships and Marriage: Coronavirus

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government plans to extend the validity period of marriage and civil partnership notices as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Alex Chalk: We understand the frustration couples who have had to postpone their wedding or civil partnership must be feeling.The requirement to solemnize a marriage within twelve months of giving notice to marry is set out in primary legislation, which does not provide for extending this period. It would require primary legislation to change this. In the meantime, the fees charged by local authorities for giving notice can be reduced, waived or refunded on compassionate grounds or in cases of hardship. It is for each local authority to determine when this can be applied.

Remand in Custody: Coronavirus

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many defendants that have appeared on video from police custody have been remanded by the court but have failed to be transported to prison at the end of the court day since the start of the covid-19 outbreak.

Lucy Frazer: Since March 16 2020, Prisoner Escort and Custody Services have transported 11,305 detained persons to prisons following a Virtual Remand hearing at a police station in England or Wales. During that time, less than 3% (316) of these persons were not transported to prison on the same day as their hearing. In such instances efforts are made to ensure that defendants are moved to prison as promptly as possible.

Burial

Feryal Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the Government's policy is on non-English inscriptions on tombstones in (a) local authority maintained cemeteries, (b) faith and communities cemeteries and (c) other burial sites.

Alex Chalk: The Government has published guidance on the management of burial grounds. This sets out the general expectation that managers should always have regard for equal treatment policies and practice in the provision of burial services and emphasises that consideration should be given to unintended consequences or discrimination which may arise in a variety of ways, including in the allowed wording of commemorative inscriptions.Section 13 of the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977 provides that a bishop of the Church of England may object to, and have removed, any inscription on a tombstone or other memorial in ground consecrated to the Church of England within any cemetery (including its chapel). This reflects similar statutory provision relating to tombstones located within Church of England churches and their churchyards.

Courts: Coronavirus

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether a covid-19 health risk assessment for defendants and staff on court transport has been published.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the standard rate paid to the Prisoner Escort and Custody Service contractor for the service of transportation and court custody work has been reduced in line with the reduced need for those services during the covid-19 outbreak.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to resume the transportation of defendants from police custody to the Magistrates' court to allow the defendants to appear in person.

Lucy Frazer: In April we provided clear guidance on Transportation and Transfer to all primary stakeholders, on the principles adopted by them and their suppliers to ensure the safe management of defendants presenting with suspected or confirmed Covid-19.Although there has been an increase in Police and HMP Virtual Hearings the full service from Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) has continued, but with reduced volumes.There has been no contractual change in relation to the production of defendants from police custody to magistrates’ courts. The payment mechanism is intended to ensure the availability of capacity and so a reduction in the number of prisoners handled has not resulted in a similar reduction in costs. There have been some savings due to the reduced demand. PECS suppliers continue to respond to and complete all requests for transporting a defendant to court within the parameters of the contract.

Prisoners' Release: Homelessness

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on good practice for local authority housing officers responding to duties to refer under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 from prisons, young offender institutions, secure training centres, secure colleges, youth offending teams, and probation services.

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy for homeless people under probation supervision of the length of the 56 day relief stage within the Homelessness code of guidance for local authorities.

Lucy Frazer: Everyone leaving prison should have somewhere safe and secure to live; accommodation enables offenders to hold down a job and reduces the likelihood of them reoffendingOffenders face significant barriers to securing suitable accommodation, often linked to their lack of access to necessary funds, availability of local authority housing supply and affordability/access to private rented sector.However, overcoming these barriers is something that Ministry of Justice cannot do in isolation and we will work together with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Welsh Government and Other Government Departments, to address this issue, ensuring an effective contribution towards the Governments goal to eliminate rough sleeping by the end of the current Parliament.As part of its COVID-19 response, HMPPS set up seven Homelessness Prevention Taskforces to work with local authorities and other partners to find accommodation for offenders released from prison. The taskforces are still active and HMPPS is considering how to continue the work that they have carried out during the pandemic in the long-term.MHCLG are currently undertaking a review of the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA), including the resourcing of it and how it is working in practice, this includes looking at the duty to refer. This review will include evidence from several local authorities and charities on their experiences of the act and where they believe there is space for improvement.HMPPS recently completed a review of its own referral process and has refreshed the supporting policy framework as well as undertaking a series of training events in conjunction with the National Homelessness Advice Service, to broaden awareness, knowledge and improving our referral processes. Lessons learnt from the HMPPS internal review will feed into the wider MHCLG review.The HRA is helping more people to get help earlier, particularly single people who often would not have received help in the past and would have been at risk of sleeping on our streets. Since the introduction of the Act, over 100,000 households whose relief duty ended, were helped to find accommodation for six+ months.

Remand in Custody: Visits

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of people in custody had a (a) virtual visit and (b) physical visit in each custodial facility in England and Wales in August 2020.

Lucy Frazer: This information in relation to physical visits can only be obtained at disproportionate cost. This information is not held centrally, and so there would be a need for all prison establishments in England and Wales to check local visits records.However, I can confirm that during the period 3 August to 30 August 2020, a total of 7,785 video calls were completed across the public sector prison establishments which were able to offer live calls. This period coincided with significant expansion of the live service across the estate.

Prisons: Coronavirus

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the HM Prison and Probation Service COVID-19 Official Statistics, published on 14 August 2020, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness to date of the testing programme in 28 prisons in England and Wales.

Lucy Frazer: A testing programme to help understand the spread of Coronavirus in prisons and how it is transmitted through individual establishments and the wider estate began on the 20 July. The study, lasting up to 12 weeks, will take place in 28 prisons and is being carried out in collaboration with the University of Southampton, Public Health England, Office of National Statistics and the Department of Health and Social Care. We are only half way through the live study and therefore it is too early to provide an assessment of its effectiveness to date.

Theft: Reoffenders

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous theft offences was for people convicted of a further theft offence and not given a sentence of immediate custody in each of the last three years; and what the chronological sentencing history for all previous such offences was for those people.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous offences of burglary was for people convicted of that offence and not given a sentence of immediate custody in each of the last three years; and what the chronological sentencing history for all previous such offences was for those people.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous offences of assault was for people convicted of that offence and not given a sentence of immediate custody in each of the last three years; and what the chronological sentencing history for all previous such offences was for those people.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous offences of possession of an article with a blade or point was for people convicted of that offence and not given a sentence of immediate custody in each of the last three years; and what the chronological sentencing history for all previous such offences was for those people.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous offences of sexual assault was for people convicted of that offence and not given a sentence of immediate custody in each of the last three years; and what the chronological sentencing history for all previous such offences was for those people.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous offences of robbery was for people convicted of that offence and not given a sentence of immediate custody in each of the last three years; and what the chronological sentencing history for all previous such offences was for those people.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous drug offences was for people convicted of a further drug offence and not given a sentence of immediate custody in each of the last three years; and what the chronological sentencing history for all previous such offences was for those people.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous offences of fraud was for people convicted of that offence and not given a sentence of immediate custody in each of the last three years; and what the chronological sentencing history for all previous such offences was for those offenders.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous offences of criminal damage was for people convicted of that offence and not given a sentence of immediate custody in each of the last three years; and what the chronological sentencing history for all previous such offences was for those offenders.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the highest number of previous offences of possession of an offensive weapon was for people convicted of that offence and not given a sentence of immediate custody in each of the last three years; and what the chronological sentencing history for all previous such offences was for those offenders.

Chris Philp: Obtaining the necessary information to answer these questions involves accessing the secure Police National Computer (PNC) system, which my relevant officials were unable to do in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although PNC access has now re-started, work to catch up the data loading needs to be completed before these questions can be answered and there is reduced capacity to do this due to the need to adhere to social distancing guidelines. I will write to the Hon Member in due course with the information requested and will place a copy of my letter in the Library.You may wish to note that the latest available data is included in the responses to the following PQs provided in February: 13960–13962, 13967, 13968 and 14632–14636 (https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2020-02-07/13960#).

Treasury

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Jim McMahon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what economic assessment he has made of the effect of ending the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman: After eight months of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the scheme will close at the end of October. The scheme must be temporary and the Government must ensure people can get back to work safely and get the UK economy up and running again. The longer people are on furlough, the more likely it is their skills could fade, making it harder for them to get new opportunities. It is in no-one’s long term interests for the scheme to trap people in jobs that only exist because of the subsidy. Building on the action taken in the face of the immediate threat posed by the virus, the Government is now proceeding with the second phase of its response with the targeted Plan for Jobs which will support the UK’s economic recovery while continuing to prioritise people’s health.

Minimum Wage

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to increase the minimum wage to the Living Wage Foundation's recommendation of £9.30 in the next Budget.

Jesse Norman: The introduction of the National Living Wage (NLW) has delivered the fastest pay rise for the lowest earners in 20 years; the latest increase saw a full-time worker’s annual pay rise over £3,680 since its introduction. Through the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage (NMW), the Government remains committed to supporting the lowest paid workers for their hard work and valuable contribution to the economy. The NMW and NLW rates are legal minimum thresholds whereas the Living Wage is a voluntary minimum rate of pay. The Government commends the work of the Living Wage Foundation and those employers who commit to paying the voluntary Living Wage where they can afford to do so. At Spring Budget 2020 the Government reinforced its commitment to an ambitious target for the National Living Wage to reach two-thirds of median earnings by 2024 provided economic conditions allow.The Government looks forward to receiving the recommendations for 2021’s minimum wage rates from the independent Low Pay Commission in the Autumn.

Consumers: Billing

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that businesses invoice consumers with the appropriate VAT.

Jesse Norman: The law requires that VAT-registered businesses provide a VAT invoice when they make taxable supplies to other VAT-registered businesses. Through compliance activity HMRC are able to visit businesses and ensure they are fulfilling their obligations to issue VAT invoices. VAT-registered businesses are required to keep their records for six years.

Agency Workers and Zero Hours Contracts: Coronavirus

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support is available to (a) workers on zero hour contracts and (b) agency workers who have been advised to continue to self-isolate during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman: The Government has committed to an unprecedented package to support individuals through this difficult time. This includes the introduction of the Coronavirus Job Retention and Self-Employment Income Support Schemes, as well as injecting an additional £9 billion into the welfare system according to Office for Budget Responsibility estimates. If an employee earns average weekly earnings of at least £120 per week, they will be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if they have been ill or self-isolating; this includes agency workers and those on zero-hour contracts. The Government is committed to supporting individuals financially through this difficult time. For that reason the Government has changed the rules so that SSP is now payable from day 1, not day 4 for COVID-19 cases. It is important to note that SSP is a statutory minimum and employers, who are responsible for paying SSP, will often pay more than this. More than half of employees receive more than this when they are off sick so many people will not see any fall in income during their isolation period. The welfare system is best placed to provide support for those not eligible for SSP. This group will benefit from changes to the welfare system to support the most vulnerable. These changes include a £20 per week increase to the Universal Credit (UC) standard allowance and Working Tax Credit basic element, and a nearly £1 billion increase in support for renters through increases to the Local Housing Allowance rates for UC and Housing Benefit claimants. In addition, the Department for Health and Social Care recently launched a trial for a new payment for those self-isolating in the highest risk areas in England. Starting with a trial in Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle and Oldham, individuals will be eligible if they are unable to work from home while self-isolating. This payment is in addition to the welfare safety net and SSP, providing a further incentive to self-isolate.It will be available to people currently receiving at least one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credits, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, or Housing Benefit.

Coronavirus: Quarantine

Robert Halfon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to financially support individuals who are required to self-isolate as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman: The Government has committed to an unprecedented package to support individuals through this difficult time. This includes the introduction of the Coronavirus Job Retention and Self-Employment Income Support Schemes, as well as injecting an additional £9 billion into the welfare system according to Office for Budget Responsibility estimates. Individuals asked to isolate by the Test and Trace service will be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if they are unable to work from home. This is in addition to changes already made, which make SSP payable from day one rather than day four of absence from work. Employees will still be entitled to claim SSP from their employers even if they are asked to self-isolate several times. An SSP Rebate Scheme was announced at Budget to support SMEs which may face a financial strain due to staff absences caused by Covid-19. Self-employed people are eligible for “new style” Contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if they are incapable of work due to COVID-19, including all those who are required to self-isolate according to Government guidance. The Government has made it easier for people to claim by removing the seven-day waiting period which means people can get support from day one. The welfare system is best placed to provide support for those not eligible for SSP. This group will benefit from changes to the welfare system to support the most vulnerable. These changes include a £20 per week increase to the Universal Credit (UC) standard allowance and Working Tax Credit basic element, and a nearly £1 billion increase in support for renters through increases to the Local Housing Allowance rates for UC and Housing Benefit claimants. In addition, the Department for Health and Social Care recently launched a trial for a new payment for those self-isolating in the highest risk areas in England. Starting with a trial in Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle and Oldham, individuals will be eligible if they are unable to work from home while self-isolating. This payment is in addition to the welfare safety net and SSP, providing a further incentive to self-isolate.It will be available to people currently receiving at least one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credits, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, or Housing Benefit.

Sunscreens: VAT

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of reducing the rate of VAT on sunscreen and other sun safety products.

Jesse Norman: The Government's approach is to support safety campaigns that place sunscreen within its proper context; as a precaution that people can take against the sun, but that does not provide 100 per cent protection. While sun protection products have a role to play in skin safety, it is important that people do not rely on sunscreen alone. VAT raises a significant amount of revenue and plays an important part in funding the Government's public spending priorities. Any application of a reduced rate would have to be balanced against this. The Government keeps all taxes under review.

Events Industry: Non-domestic Rates

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending business rates relief to the events sector.

Jesse Norman: The Government has provided enhanced support through business rates relief to businesses occupying properties used for retail, hospitality and leisure. A range of other measures to support all businesses, including events companies, has also been made available. On 8 July the Chancellor set out a package of measures to support jobs across the UK, including a Job Retention Bonus to help firms keep furloughed workers and a new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people. The Chancellor has also announced a cut in VAT to 5% for accommodation, attractions and the hospitality sector.

Eat Out to Help Out Scheme

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he plans to extend the eat out to help out scheme beyond the end of August 2020.

Jesse Norman: There are no plans to extend the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme beyond August.

Non-domestic Rates

Esther McVey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs protected in industries eligible for the business rates suspension in the financial year 2020-2021.

Jesse Norman: About 400,000 businesses are expected to receive over £10 billion in business rates relief as part of the Government’s support for the economy during the coronavirus pandemic. Combined with Small Business Rate Relief this means that over half of all ratepayers will pay no business rates in 2020/21.

Eat Out to Help Out Scheme

Paul Girvan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that discounts under the Eat Out To Help Out scheme are not given to people who have been recorded as eating in but who have taken food out.

Jesse Norman: Businesses were required to check and record that the customer intended to eat in before they applied the discount. The business is required to state the number of covers during the claims process and to retain records to support their Eat Out to Help Out claims, which should be provided to HMRC on request. HMRC carry out checks on claims, taking appropriate action to withhold payments for claims found to be dishonest or inaccurate.

Directors: Coronavirus

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support is available during the covid-19 outbreak for directors of limited companies who are (a) paid in dividends and (b) not eligible for universal credit.

Jesse Norman: Directors of limited companies who pay themselves a salary through their own company are eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The CJRS is available to employers, including owner-managers, and individuals paying themselves a salary through a PAYE scheme are eligible. Where furloughed directors, including companies with a sole director, need to carry out particular duties to fulfil their statutory obligations, they may do so provided it is no more than would reasonably be judged necessary for that purpose. They may also be able to benefit from other elements of the comprehensive package of support for individuals and businesses. This package includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants. More information about the full range of business support measures is available atwww.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19. As the economy reopens, it is right that state support is reduced and the focus shifts to getting people back to work. On 8 July, the Government introduced the new Plan for Jobs which will make available up to £30 billion to assist in creating, supporting and protecting jobs. The Plan includes the Kickstart Scheme, reduces the level of VAT for the hospitality and accommodation sector, and creates jobs through £8.6 billion of infrastructure, decarbonisation and maintenance projects. More information can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-plan-for-jobs-documents/a-plan-for-jobs-2020.

Self-employment Income Support Scheme

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme beyond the second grant for (a) musicians, (b) other performers and (c) other self-employed workers who remain unable to (i) work and (ii) work enough hours to earn their usual income as a result of covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing targeted support beyond the second grant of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme for (a) musicians, (b) other performers and (c) other self-employed workers who remain unable to work as a result of covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Jesse Norman: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has said there will be no further extension or changes to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).The SEISS will remain open for applications for the second and final grant until 19 October. Those who require more support may be able to benefit from other elements of the comprehensive package of support for individuals and businesses.This package includes Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support,?increased levels of Universal Credit, mortgage holidays, and other business support grants. More information about the full range of business support measures is available atwww.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19. As the economy reopens, it is right that state support is reduced and the focus shifts to getting people back to work. On 8 July, the Government introduced the Plan for Jobs which will make available up to £30 billion to assist in creating, supporting and protecting jobs. The Plan includes the Kickstart Scheme, reduces the level of VAT for the hospitality and accommodation sector, and creates jobs through £8.6 billion of infrastructure, decarbonisation and maintenance projects. More information can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-plan-for-jobs-documents/a-plan-for-jobs-2020.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

Anthony Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on how many occasions the exemption in relation to the multiple dwellings relief for property transactions of six or more separate dwellings FA03/S116(7) was used in 2017-18; and what estimate he has made of the revenue foregone to the public purse as a result of that relief.

Jesse Norman: Information on multiple dwellings relief is available; this information available relates to two or more properties. The cost of this relief was published in the publication ‘Estimated cost of structural tax reliefs’ in October 2019. The number of cases claiming that relief is available in the Annual Stamp Taxes Publication which was also published in October 2019. Specific information for six or more properties would only be available at disproportionate cost.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

Anthony Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on how many occasions the exemption in relation to the multiple dwellings relief for property transactions of six or more separate dwellings FA03/S116(7) was used in 2018-19; and what estimate he has made of the revenue foregone to the public purse as a result of that relief.

Jesse Norman: Information on multiple dwellings relief is available; this information available relates to two or more properties. The cost of this relief and the number of people claiming the relief was published in the publication ‘Estimated cost of structural tax reliefs’ in October 2019. Specific information for six or more properties would only be available at disproportionate cost.

Hygiene: Products

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reducing the rate of VAT applied to soap and sanitising gel.

Jesse Norman: Under the current VAT rules, soap and sanitising gel are subject to the standard rate of VAT. Although the Government keeps all taxes under review, there are no plans to change the VAT treatment of these at present.

Business: Taxation

Esther McVey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the level of business taxation for the (a) physical and (b) digital economy.

Jesse Norman: The widespread adoption of digital technologies means it is difficult to distinguish between the physical and digital economy. However, the Government recognises the need to ensure that business taxes deliver fair and sustainable outcomes when applied to different operating models. It is for this reason that the Government has introduced the Digital Services Tax, while also seeking long-term reform of international corporate tax rules.

Housing: Insulation

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing stamp duty relief for owners of properties affected by the costs of cladding replacement and who are planning to sell up and buy a new home.

Jesse Norman: The Government does not currently have any plans to relieve SDLT from owners of properties where cladding is replaced. The Government keeps all tax policy, including on SDLT, under review.

Stamp Duties: Coronavirus

Sir Alan Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of backdating the reduction in stamp duty to the start of the covid-19 lockdown.

Jesse Norman: The SDLT relief is intended to encourage confidence in the property market and support the wider economy. Backdating the SDLT relief retrospectively would not support this aim, and would inevitably lead to borderline cases for purchases completed at an earlier point.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for (a) the live events sector and (b) other industries that are unable to re-open until Spring 2021 as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Martyn Day: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme of supporting beyond October 2020 people in (a) the events industry and (b) other sectors that have not yet been permitted to reopen.

Jesse Norman: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has said there will be no further extensions or changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). After eight months of the CJRS, the scheme will close at the end of October.The introduction of flexible furloughing further ensures that firms can adjust how they furlough to match their speed of reopening. Firms will be able to claim under the CJRS until October flexibly.It would be challenging to target the CJRS to specific sectors in a fair and deliverable way, and it may not be the case that this is the most effective or sensible way to provide longer term support for those sectors who may not yet be reopening.The Government will continue to engage with businesses and sectors with the aim of ensuring that support provided is right for those sectors and for the economy as a whole.

Members: Correspondence

Carol Monaghan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 19 June 2020 from the hon. Member for Glasgow North West on access to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and amendments and submissions made after 26 March.

Jesse Norman: HM Treasury asked HMRC to respond as they have operational responsibility for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. Ruth Stanier, Director General, duly replied to the correspondence on 7 September. HMRC apologise for the delay in replying.

Social Services: VAT

Sir Mike Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the letter from the HM Treasury Correspondence and Enquiry Unit of 2 July 2020 to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead, ref MC2020/19806, on  irrecoverable VAT in the homecare sector, if he will change the VAT status of social care services to zero-rated rather than exemption.

Jesse Norman: Under the current VAT rules, many care services provided by charities, public bodies and regulated private welfare institutions are exempt from VAT, meaning no VAT is charged on their services. The Government has no plans to review the VAT treatment of these services at present.

Stamp Duties

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people moved home and paid Stamp Duty between 1 April and 7 July 2020; and how much revenue was collected in Stamp Duty during that period.

Jesse Norman: The precise statistics requested are not readily available as stamp duty transactions and revenue are derived on a monthly basis. HM Revenue and Customs have published Official Statistics for the months in question. The “Monthly property transactions completed in the UK with value of £40,000 or above” publication contains the residential transaction figures, and the “HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK” publication contains the SDLT receipts figures. More specific information would only be available at disproportionate cost.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to not require businesses who have yet to reopen and have no income to start contributing to the scheme from August 2020.

Jesse Norman: The furlough scheme will remain open until October. It is right that in the final months of this eight-month scheme, the Government asks employers to make a reasonable contribution towards their employees’ wages. An early assessment of CJRS claims suggested that about 40% of employers had not made a claim for employer NICs costs or employer pension contributions and so were likely to be unaffected by the change in August, assuming their employment patterns did not change. If an average claim lasted 8 months, the total cost of employer contributions would represent 5% of the gross employment costs an employer would have incurred had the employee not been furloughed.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Blood Cancer

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend financial support through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to people with blood cancer who have been shielding during the covid-19 outbreak who (a) cannot work from home and (b) have been advised to continue shielding from August 2020.

Jesse Norman: The Government recognises that COVID-19 has posed significant challenges for those suffering with cancer. This group has access to the unprecedented package of support for people’s incomes that the Government has introduced in response to COVID-19. This includes the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), but also the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and the £9.3 billion which the OBR estimates the Government has injected into the welfare system.From 1 August the Government relaxed advice to those shielding, bringing it in line with the advice to those who are clinically vulnerable. Employees who are unable to work because they are clinically extremely vulnerable but cannot work from home or work safely on site can be furloughed. However, such employees can only continue to be furloughed from 1 July if they have previously been furloughed for at least 3 consecutive weeks taking place at any time between 1 March 2020 and 30 June. Those who live or work in local lockdown areas who receive a notification that they need to shield will be eligible for SSP for as long as the advice for them to shield remains in place (subject to the normal eligibility conditions). Individuals will be able to use this notification as evidence for their employer that they cannot work, including for SSP purposes.

Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions

Martyn Day: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2020 to Question 71791 on Environment Protection: Coronavirus, what progress has been made in allocating the £1 billion of further support for ultra-low emission vehicles.

Kemi Badenoch: At the Budget in March, the government allocated £403 million to extend the Plug-in Car Grant out until 2022-23. £129.5 million was provided to extend the Plug-in Grants for vans, taxis and motorcycles to 2022-23. The government also earmarked £500 million over the next five years to support the rollout of a rapid-charging network for electric vehicles, ensuring that drivers will never be further than 30 miles from a rapid charging station. To target spending from this fund effectively, the Office for Low Emission Vehicles are currently undertaking a comprehensive review of electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Universities

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the contribution of universities to the local economy.

Kemi Badenoch: Universities play a significant role in their local economy, including by equipping people with skills that raise productivity and living standards, and through the wider economic contributions of students to their local area. The Government continually works with the sector and representative bodies to better understand the impact of universities, including on local economies. Universities regularly submit evidence on research impact relevant to their immediate geographic area for the Research Excellence Framework (REF). The Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), with first results expected to be published in December 2020, should also enable universities to assess their civic role, as part of their approach to knowledge exchange more broadly.

Gambling: Tax Yields

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the potential tax revenues lost to the public purse as a result of a lack of regulation of the grey market in gambling.

Kemi Badenoch: The information requested is not available as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not make an estimate of the amount of revenue lost as a result of the lack of regulation of the grey market in gambling. However, HMRC does provide an illustrative estimate of the tax gap arising from ‘other excise duties’ which includes betting and gaming duties, cider and perry duties, spirit-based ready-to-drink duties and wine duties. The aggregate estimate for ‘other excise duties’ was £520 million for the tax year 2018-19. Tax gap statistics are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps

Free Zones: Money Laundering

Dame Margaret Hodge: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government plans take to ensure that its free ports policy mitigates the risk of money laundering.

John Glen: The government will ensure all the necessary safeguards are in place to minimise any risk of money laundering and tax evasion and will continue to meet international standards. We have consulted widely on the introduction of our new Freeport model and are carefully considering responses. Our consultation response will set out more detail on the policy in due course.

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

John Nicolson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what further steps he plans to take to help people affected by the Equitable Life scandal.

John Glen: I would refer the honourable Member for Ochil and South Perthshire to the answer I gave on 4 May 2020 (UIN 40483).

Credit Unions

Janet Daby: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) credit unions and (b) credit unions affiliated to faith groups there are in the UK.

John Glen: There are currently 429 active credit unions in the United Kingdom. Neither HM Treasury, the Prudential Regulation Authority nor the Financial Conduct Authority collect information on the affiliation of credit unions to faith groups. It is therefore not possible to provide the number of credit unions affiliated to faith groups in the United Kingdom. The Government is, however, aware of the strong links between certain faith communities and credit unions. I was pleased to take part in a roundtable recently hosted by one such credit union, the Pentecostal Credit Union, to discuss issues facing its members.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme

Martyn Day: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on the effect on financial advisor firms of the recent increase in the Financial Services Compensation Scheme levy.

John Glen: The Government does not have a role in setting the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) levy. The FSCS is an independent non-governmental body which carries out its compensation function within rules set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), who are themselves also independent from government. The Treasury works with the FCA to ensure that the market for financial advice works well. We are aware of concerns about the effect of the increased FSCS levies on financial advisers and we are working closely with the FCA who are monitoring the impact. The FSCS has said it will be working closely with industry and regulators to understand any concerns about updates to this year’s levies and seek to explore how they can be addressed.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the proposal by the Personal Finance Society that compensation awarded by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme be partly funded by a levy on the assets managed by the UK investment industry.

John Glen: The Government does not have a role in setting the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) levy. The FSCS is an independent non-governmental body which carries out its compensation function within rules set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), who are themselves also independent from government. The Government has engaged with a range of stakeholders in this area including the Personal Finance Society, and is aware of its proposal.

Companies: Climate Change

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that climate-related disclosures by all listed companies align with the proposals in the 2019 Green Finance Strategy which states that the Government expects all listed companies to make climate-related disclosures in line with Task-force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures recommendations by 2022.

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that large private companies not included in proposals for climate-related disclosures being consulted on by the Financial Conduct Authority report in line with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures recommendation that they align their strategies with Paris climate change agreement objectives.

John Glen: The Government formally endorsed the TCFD recommendations in September 2017. We welcome the progress being made implementing the recommendations on a voluntary basis. The Government expects all listed companies and large asset owners to be disclosing in line with the TCFD recommendations by 2022.In line with the Green Finance Strategy, the Government has established a joint Taskforce with UK regulators, chaired by HM Treasury, to ensure a co-ordinated approach on climate-related financial issues.

Financial Services: Advisory Services

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the financial effect of increased regulatory fees on financial advisors.

John Glen: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are responsible for setting the regulatory fees for industry and recently consulted on their fees for 2020-21. A response to the consultation can be found on the FCA’s website. The FCA operates independently within the statutory framework agreed by Parliament. The Government therefore, has no role in the FCA’s budgeting or setting of the levy. The Treasury works closely with the FCA to ensure that the market for financial advice works well. We are aware of concerns about the effect of the increased regulatory fees on financial advisers and we are working with the FCA who are monitoring the impact.

Banks: Coronavirus

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure people have access to banks and cash withdrawals during the covid-19 outbreak.

John Glen: In response to Covid-19, banks, building societies, credit unions and Post Offices are working with the Treasury and the financial regulators to maintain access to their services, including access to cash, while balancing the needs of their customers with the safety and welfare of staff. The vast majority of branches are open, though many are open for reduced hours. The Financial Conduct Authority has issued guidance to regulated firms, including on provision to allow a trusted third party to make payments on behalf of vulnerable customers who may be shielding or self-isolating.

Banks

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the provision of mobile bank branches.

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the accessibility of in-branch banking services for people living in a rural setting.

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the accessibility of in-branch banking services for people living in urban areas.

John Glen: The branch strategy of individual firms may be driven by a variety of factors, including customer interests, market competition and other commercial considerations. These are commercial decisions for firms and the Government does not intervene in this decision-making. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has been working closely with the financial regulators, banks, building societies and credit unions to ensure they continue to maintain branch access for essential services while balancing the needs of their customers with the safety and welfare of staff. Though many firms have reduced their opening hours the vast majority of branches have remained open for customers. Furthermore, several retail banks have put in place solutions for vulnerable customers, including enabling them to make payments through a trusted person or have their cash securely delivered to them at home. Many firms have also set up dedicated phone lines so these customers can speak to their provider as quickly as possible. The way consumers interact with their banking is changing. In recent years, over two-thirds of UK adults have used contactless payments and online banking and nearly half have used mobile banking, according to UK Finance. As a result of the pandemic, many customers may have used these channels for the first time. However, the Government still firmly believes that the impact of branch closures should be understood, considered, and mitigated where possible so that all customers, wherever they live, continue to have access to over-the-counter banking services if they wish to use them. That’s why the Government supports the industry’s Access to Banking Standard which informs customers of the bank’s reason for closure and helps customers to understand the options they have locally to continue to access banking services. The Post Office also allows 95% of business and 99% of personal banking customers to carry out their everyday banking at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Customers have been able to use the Post Office for essential banking services as an alternative to their branch throughout the pandemic. Customers can also use ATMs or cash machines as normal for cash withdrawals and balance enquiries. In July 2020, the regulator the Financial Conduct Authority published draft guidance setting out their expectation of firms when they are deciding whether and how to reduce their physical branches or the number of free to use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of a planned closure on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, and other relevant branch services and consider possible alternative access arrangements, which may include mobile branches. This will ensure the implementation of closure decisions is done in a way that treats customers fairly.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Poverty: Standards

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the $1.90 level of the World Bank's international poverty line in accurately measuring and identifying trends in global poverty; and if he will make a statement.

James Duddridge: Officials at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are actively involved in discussions about how best to define and measure global poverty, working with officials in developing countries, academia and international organisations, such as the World Bank and UN.The international poverty line of $1.90 per capita per day continues to be the benchmark for monitoring extreme poverty at a global level. Set by the World Bank to reflect how the world's poorest countries define poverty, it provides a measure of absolute deprivation which allows us to compare levels of need between countries; track progress - or setbacks - over time; and focus resources and efforts where they are most needed. By this measure, 10 per cent of the world's population - around 734 million people - lived in extreme poverty in 2015. While still far too many, this represents remarkable progress from 1990, when 36 per cent of the world - around 1.9 billion people - lived below $1.90.As with any definition of poverty, the $1.90 poverty line has limitations, which are well recognised, including by the World Bank.Following the recommendations of the 2016 Atkinson Commission and others, there is a global consensus that we need a range of complementary poverty measures to provide a rounded picture and meet differing policy needs. FCDO-funded investments in data collection and research supports this agenda. However, the $1.90 measure remains essential to monitoring poverty, allowing us to understand and improve the degree to which growth and economic and social policies affect the poorest. For this reason, it is the measure used in the first of the UN Sustainable Development Goals - 'by 2030, eradicate extreme poverty' - and a key consideration in how donors allocate aid on the basis of need.

Africa: Coronavirus

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how his Department plans to fund the £119 million aid package to combat covid-19 related famine in Africa, announced on 2 September 2020.

James Duddridge: As with every year, FCDO manages aid programmes to be able to respond to emerging crises, often funds are freed up as other programmes impacted by the crisis naturally slow. In this case, in addition, we included the need for additional funds to combat COVID-19 and other emergencies in the calculations behind the ODA prioritisation exercise that was carried out over the summer.

Sierra Leone: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the DFID Sierra Leone budget was for 2020-21; and what the reduction is in that budget as a result of his 22 July 2020 announcement of a £2.9 billion reduction in the overall aid budget.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Southern Africa: Coronavirus

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many southern African nations have received additional dedicated support to help tackle the covid-19 pandemic.

James Duddridge: The UK is working with partners across southern Africa to mitigate the health, humanitarian and economic impacts of COVID-19. We have committed up to £774 million of UK aid to tackle the global impacts of COVID-19 and the Foreign Secretary has announced a further £119 million package to tackle the combined threat of coronavirus and famines, this includes efforts to reduce malnutrition and child mortality in countries such as Malawi.Through the UK Emergency Medical Team, we have directly deployed UK medical experts to South Africa and Zambia. We have contributed £75 million to the World Health Organization, enabling their leadership of the global response, whilst our £20 million contribution towards the African Union's COVID-19 response is enabling the deployment of African health experts where they are needed most.

Somalia: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the DFID Somalia budget was for 2020-21; and what the reduction is in that budget as a result of his 22 July 2020 announcement of a £2.9 billion reduction in the overall aid budget.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Uganda: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the DFID Uganda budget was for 2020-21; and what the reduction is in that budget as a result of his 22 July 2020 announcement of a £2.9 billion reduction in the overall aid budget.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Sahel: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the DFID Sahel budget was for 2020-21; and what the reduction is in that budget as a result of his 22 July 2020 announcement of a £2.9 billion reduction in the overall aid budget.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Sudan: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the DFID Sudan budget was for 2020-21; and what the reduction is in that budget as a result of his 22 July 2020 announcement of a £2.9 billion reduction in the overall aid budget.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Zimbabwe: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was DFID Zimbabwe budget was for 2020-21; and what the reduction is in that budget as a result of his 22 July 2020 announcement of a £2.9 billion reduction in the overall aid budget.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Zambia: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the DFID Zambia budget was for 2020-21; and what the reduction is in that budget as a result of his 22 July 2020 announcement of a £2.9 billion reduction in the overall aid budget.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Tanzania: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the DFID Tanzania budget was for 2020-21; and what the reduction is in that budget as a result of his 22 July 2020 announcement of a £2.9 billion reduction in the overall aid budget.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

South Sudan: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the DFID South Sudan budget was for 2020-21; and what the reduction is in that budget as a result of his 22 July 2020 announcement of a £2.9 billion reduction in the overall aid budget.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Africa: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the DFID Africa regional budget was for 2020-21; and what the reduction is in that budget as a result of his 22 July 2020 announcement of a £2.9 billion reduction in the overall aid budget.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Ghana: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the total budget for financial year 2020-21 for DFID Ghana aid programme; and what effect his announcement of 22 July on cuts to aid budgets has had on the proposed spend of the programme.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Ethiopia: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the total budget for financial year 2020-21 for DFID Ethiopia aid programme; and what effect his announcement of 22 July on cuts to aid budgets has had on the proposed spend of the programme.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the total budget for financial year 2020-21 for the DFID DRC aid programme; and what estimate has been made of the effect of his announcement on 22 July of cuts to the aid budget of £2.9 billion on the DFID DRC proposed spend.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Rwanda: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the DFID Rwanda budget was for 2020-21; and what the reduction is in that budget as a result of his 22 July 2020 announcement of a £2.9 billion reduction in the overall aid budget.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Mozambique: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the total budget for financial year 2020-21 for DFID Mozambique aid programme; and what effect his announcement of 22 July on cuts to aid budgets has had on the proposed spend of the programme.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Nigeria: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the DFID Nigeria budget was for 2020-21; and what the reduction is in that budget as a result of his 22 July 2020 announcement of a £2.9 billion reduction in the overall aid budget.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Liberia: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the total budget for financial year 2020-21 for DFID Liberia aid programme; and what effect his announcement of 22 July on cuts to aid budgets has had on the proposed spend of the programme.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Malawi: Overseas Aid

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the total budget for financial year 2020-21 for DFID Malawi aid programme; and what effect his announcement of 22 July on cuts to aid budgets has had on the proposed spend of the programme.

James Duddridge: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget.

Colombia: Violence

Christian Matheson: What recent discussions he has had with his Colombian counterpart on increased incidents of violent conflict in that country.

Wendy Morton: Colombia has made significant progress since the 2016 peace agreement was signed with the FARC. For Colombians in most parts of the country where security was an issue, conditions are much improved. Significant challenges remain in some areas, due to illegal armed groups competing for territory and control of the drugs trade and other illicit activities. This has led to violence, and the death and displacement of ordinary Colombians. We regularly raise this violence with Colombian counterparts and in multilateral bodies. I discussed the UK’s concerns in a phone call with Claudia Blum, Colombian Foreign Minister, on 2 June. We also use our position as UNSC penholder on Colombia’s peace process to emphasise the issue and to urge the Colombian government to ensure the rule of law applies to the entire country, most recently at the UNSC session on 14 July. The UK is the biggest donor to the UN Trust Fund for Colombia. Since 2015 we have contributed over £53m to support implementation of the peace agreement. Programmes run by our Embassy in Bogotá aim to tackle the root causes of this violence, by helping communities develop sustainable livelihoods. This issue is a priority for the Colombian government. We will continue to support their efforts to bring long-term security to all communities.

Overseas Aid

Christine Jardine: What his policy is on maintaining the statutory target to spend 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income on Official Development Assistance.

Wendy Morton: We are committed to spending 0.7% of GNI on aid and development; this is a manifesto commitment and is enshrined in law. Both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have been firm that development will be at the heart of the new FCDO, working hand in hand with diplomacy. Development assistance provided by the UK aims to tackle the great challenges of our time, transform lives of the world’s poorest, and make the world a healthier, safer and more prosperous place for everyone. This allows us to shape the world around us for the better and help keep us safe. As an example of what UK ODA has achieved, since 2015 more than 33 million people have been reached by our humanitarian programmes, including at least 13 million women and girls. The FCDO brings together expertise from DFID and the FCO to ensure we place our world-class development programmes at the heart of our foreign policy. Supporting the poorest countries to become self-sufficient is firmly in line with British values and our own national interest.

Sustainable Development

Mrs Pauline Latham: What plans he has to help meet all of the Sustainable Development Goals following the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with the Department for International Development.

Wendy Morton: The UK was at the forefront of agreeing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, and we remain committed to being at the forefront of global efforts to achieve them. On the 2 September, we appointed Nick Dyer as the UK’s first Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs, which has strong links to the SDGs including Goal 2 on Zero Hunger. The FCDO brings together the best of our development and diplomatic expertise, projecting the UK as a Force for Good in the world, with a continued focus on supporting the bottom billion. Championing global progress on the SDGs, and using our G7 and COP presidencies, will be crucial to these aims. The SDGs also play a vital role in post-COVID-19 recovery.

Nutrition: Overseas Aid

David Mundell: What the Government's timescale is for pledging funding for Nutrition for Growth post-2020.

Wendy Morton: Tackling malnutrition is a major priority for our work to end the preventable deaths of mothers, newborns and children. From April 2015 to March 2020, we reached 55.1 million young children, women and adolescent girls through UK nutrition programmes. Last week, we announced a package of £119m UK Aid to address COVID-19 and famine. This includes a new partnership with UNICEF to address acute malnutrition more effectively and efficiently. Nick Dyer has been appointed as the UK’s first Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs. We are committed to Nutrition for Growth, with a new commitment subject to Spending Review decisions. We will update on plans following the outcome of that.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the G20 covid-19 action plan includes a strategy for economic recovery in countries affected by fragility, crisis, and displacement.

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to support global efforts to tackle the covid-19 pandemic.

Nigel Adams: The UK Government is working closely with international partners to deliver a robust and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including through the G7, G20 and other fora, and has been advocating for economic resilience and recovery to be at the heart of this approach. With India, the UK pressed for the G20 Action Plan that agreed a package of measures to mitigate the economic impact on the worst affected countries, including through debt relief. The UK is also leading on 'recovering better for sustainability' work which will report to a UN General Assembly meeting later this month.Specifically, the UK has pledged £774 million to the international response to COVID-19, including for vaccine R&D, support to UN agencies, NGOs and the Red Cross, as well as over £130 million to accelerate the University of Oxford and Imperial University's vaccines work. Beyond this, many existing programmes have been refocused to address the primary and secondary impacts of the pandemic. On 2 September, the UK launched a global call to action to address the risk of famine, underpinned by £119 million of new UK aid funding.

China: Uighurs

Afzal Khan: If he will extend the list of people designated for Magnitsky sanctions to include senior Chinese Communist Party officials responsible for human rights violations against the Uyghur people in Xinjiang.

Nigel Adams: On the 6th of July, the UK Government established the Global Human Rights sanctions regime by laying regulations in Parliament under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. It is not appropriate to speculate who may be designated in the future, as this may reduce the impact of sanctions. We will keep all evidence and potential listings under close review.

Coronavirus: International Cooperation

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has held with his counterpart G20 finance ministers to ensure that the G20 covid-19 action plan includes a dedicated strategy for economic recovery in countries affected by fragility, crisis, and displacement.

Nigel Adams: The UK Government is working closely with international partners to deliver a robust and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including through the G7, G20 and other fora, and has been advocating for economic resilience and recovery to be at the heart of this approach. With India, the UK pressed for the G20 Action Plan that agreed a package of measures to mitigate the economic impact on the worst affected countries, including through debt relief. The UK is also leading on 'recovering better for sustainability' work which will report to a UN General Assembly meeting later this month.Specifically, the UK has pledged £774 million to the international response to COVID-19, including for vaccine R&D, support to UN agencies, NGOs and the Red Cross, as well as over £130 million to accelerate the University of Oxford and Imperial University's vaccines work. Beyond this, many existing programmes have been refocused to address the primary and secondary impacts of the pandemic. On 2 September, the UK launched a global call to action to address the risk of famine, underpinned by £119 million of new UK aid funding.

International Assistance: Security

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Human Rights and Democracy Report published on 16 July 2020, on how many occasions did the Government decide that UK assistance should not be provided on the basis of human rights risk in Overseas Security and Justice Assistance cases during 2019-20.

Nigel Adams: HMG only maintains records of Overseas Security & Justice Assistance (OSJA) assessments relating to completed and ongoing security & justice work overseas. We are therefore unable to provide details of the number of times UK assistance was not provided due to human rights risks.

Hong Kong: National Security

Rob Roberts: What recent assessment he has made of the effect of the National Security Law on the people of Hong Kong.

Nigel Adams: The enactment and imposition by China of national security legislation for Hong Kong constitutes a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. It violates the high degree of autonomy of executive and legislative powers and independent judicial authority, provided for in the Joint Declaration. We are also deeply concerned by the arrest of Jimmy Lai, and other individuals, in Hong Kong. Freedom of the press is explicitly guaranteed in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Basic Law, and supposedly protected under Article 4 of the National Security Law. The arrests are further evidence that the National Security Law is being used to silence opposition. The Hong Kong authorities must uphold the rights and freedoms provided for in the Joint Declaration. Following the enactment of the national security legislation, the Foreign Secretary announced on 20 July that the UK would take clear action in response, including offering a new immigration path for British Nationals (Overseas), suspending the UK’s extradition treaty with Hong Kong, and extending our arms embargo on mainland China to Hong Kong. The Foreign Secretary set out concerns to State Councillor/Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, on 8 June and 28 July. FCO officials have raised recent arrests with the Hong Kong authorities over recent weeks, including with members of the Executive Council and the President of the Legislative Council. We will continue to bring together our international partners to stand up for the people of Hong Kong, to call out the violation of their freedoms, and to hold China to their international obligations.

Hong Kong: Civil Liberties

Andrew Gwynne: What recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on the arrest of newspaper owner Jimmy Lai and the suppression of freedom of speech and press freedoms in Hong Kong.

Nigel Adams: The enactment and imposition by China of national security legislation for Hong Kong constitutes a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. It violates the high degree of autonomy of executive and legislative powers and independent judicial authority, provided for in the Joint Declaration. We are also deeply concerned by the arrest of Jimmy Lai, and other individuals, in Hong Kong. Freedom of the press is explicitly guaranteed in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Basic Law, and supposedly protected under Article 4 of the National Security Law. The arrests are further evidence that the National Security Law is being used to silence opposition. The Hong Kong authorities must uphold the rights and freedoms provided for in the Joint Declaration. Following the enactment of the national security legislation, the Foreign Secretary announced on 20 July that the UK would take clear action in response, including offering a new immigration path for British Nationals (Overseas), suspending the UK’s extradition treaty with Hong Kong, and extending our arms embargo on mainland China to Hong Kong. The Foreign Secretary set out concerns to State Councillor/Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, on 8 June and 28 July. FCO officials have raised recent arrests with the Hong Kong authorities over recent weeks, including with members of the Executive Council and the President of the Legislative Council. We will continue to bring together our international partners to stand up for the people of Hong Kong, to call out the violation of their freedoms, and to hold China to their international obligations.

Sri Lanka: Power Stations

Elliot Colburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of supporting an independent investigation headed by a foreign delegation to review the Chunnakam water pollution incident in the Jaffna Peninsula of Sri Lanka.

Nigel Adams: We are aware of the challenges Sri Lanka faces around water management and quality and the unique challenges faced by communities in northern Sri Lanka. Staff at the British High Commission in Colombo raised the issue of water quality during a visit to the North in July. A number of public bodies in Sri Lanka, including the national water supply and drainage board, have conducted tests and compensation was offered to those affected by water pollution caused by the Chunnakam Power plant. We will continue to engage with local government in the North to ensure these concerns around water management and quality are understood, and that measures are taken to ensure clean water.

China: Uighurs

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Chinese authorities on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and the treatment of the Uighur people.

Nigel Adams: We have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang including the extra-judicial detention of over a million Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in "political re-education camps", systematic restrictions on Uyghur culture and the practice of Islam, and extensive and invasive surveillance targeting minorities.On 28 July, the Foreign Secretary raised our serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi. On 30 June, the UK read out a formal statement on behalf of 28 countries at the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council highlighting arbitrary detention, widespread surveillance and restrictions, particularly those targeting Uyghurs and other minorities, and urging China to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights meaningful access to Xinjiang. We will continue to raise our concerns with China bilaterally, and through the UN working with international partners.

China: Sanctions

Janet Daby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to pursue sanctions against Chinese officials involved in human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region.

Nigel Adams: On 6 July, the UK Government established the Global Human Rights ('Magnitsky') sanctions regime by laying regulations in Parliament. This sanctions regime allows for asset freezes and travel bans on targeted individuals and organisations. It is not appropriate to speculate who may be designated under the sanctions regime in the future, as to do so could reduce the impact of the designations. We will keep all evidence and potential listings under close review.

China: Uighurs

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the detention of Uighur Muslims in camps in Xinjiang, China; and what plans he has to seek international support for an impartial investigation into the situation of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.

Nigel Adams: We have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang including the extra-judicial detention of over a million Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in "political re-education camps", systematic restrictions on Uyghur culture and the practice of Islam, and extensive and invasive surveillance targeting minorities.On 28 July, the Foreign Secretary raised our serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi. On 30 June, the UK read out a formal statement on behalf of 28 countries at the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council highlighting arbitrary detention, widespread surveillance and restrictions, particularly those targeting Uyghurs and other minorities, and urging China to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights meaningful access to Xinjiang. We will continue to raise our concerns with China bilaterally, and through the UN working with international partners.

China: Uighurs

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that no products made from human hair taken from the Uighur population in Xinjiang, China are (a) imported and (b) sold within the UK.

Nigel Adams: HMG advises in our Overseas Business Risk Guidance that all businesses involved in investing in Xinjiang or with parts of their supply chains, including businesses that import goods from Xinjiang, should consider conducting appropriate due diligence to satisfy themselves that their activities do not support, or risk being seen to be supporting, any human rights violations or abuses. We keep our advice to UK business under review, working closely with relevant departments across government.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Interserve

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to continue to use the Interserve agency to carry out work under their newly established Department.

Nigel Adams: Facilities management services are provided to us by Interserve FM via existing contracts and they will continue to deliver the services as originally contracted to do so.

China: Uighurs

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the size of the Uighur population in Xinjiang region for each of the last five years.

Nigel Adams: Official figures from the Chinese Government state that, in 2018, the population of Xinjiang was approximately 24.9 million. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not produce its own population statistics for the region.

Department for International Development: Staff

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many of his Department's staff are (a) working at posts overseas and (b) have returned from posts overseas as a result of the covid-19 outbreak; and what plans he has to ensure that those overseas posts will be maintained after the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Adams: We have sought to protect Health and Humanitarian capacity across our network wherever possible.Our priority is to help enable our staff to return to post as quickly as possible to deliver Her Majesty's Government priorities. However, this will only happen when it is safe to do so.As the global impacts of COVID-19 evolve, along with the subsequent implications for our work, we are working to provide as much clarity as is feasible on how and when we can bring staff back to post and return to normal operations.

China: Embassies

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Chinese Consulate-General in Belfast and Belfast City Council on the planning dispute at the Chinese Consulate-General.

Nigel Adams: We are aware of the issues surrounding the Consulate General's construction works and are liaising closely with the Consulate General and Belfast City Council in an attempt to help them reach, through cooperation and dialogue, an amicable resolution that is satisfactory to all parties. We expect diplomatic and consular missions in the UK to respect our laws and regulations in line with their obligations under the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations and UK law.

Bangladesh: Overseas Aid

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the total budget was this year for DFID's Bangladesh programme; and with reference to his 22 July announcement of cuts to the aid budget of £2.9bn, how much will be cut from that programme's proposed spend.

Nigel Adams: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget. The next step will be to discuss specific savings with suppliers and partners and revised ODA allocations will be published in due course after this has been completed.The Statistics for International Development published in 2021 will provide a full breakdown of the UK's ODA spend for 2020.

China: Uighurs

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the number of detention camps in Xinjiang region, China where Uighurs and other minority communities are allegedly being held.

Nigel Adams: Open source reports indicate that there may be over 250 detention camps in Xinjiang. We judge that at least one million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have been extra-judicially detained in these camps.

Nepal: Overseas Aid

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the total budget was this year for DFID's Nepal programme; and with reference to his 22 July announcement of cuts to the aid budget of £2.9bn, how much will be cut from the programme's proposed spend.

Nigel Adams: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget. The next step will be to discuss specific savings with suppliers and partners and revised ODA allocations will be published in due course after this has been completed. The Statistics for International Development published in 2021 will provide a full breakdown of the UK's ODA spend for 2020.

China: Uighurs

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his Chinese counterpart on the detention and repression of the Uighur people in Xinjiang region.

Nigel Adams: We have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang including the extra-judicial detention of over a million Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in "political re-education camps", systematic restrictions on Uyghur culture and the practice of Islam, and extensive and invasive surveillance targeting minorities.On 28 July, the Foreign Secretary raised our serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi. On 30 June, the UK read out a formal statement on behalf of 28 countries at the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council highlighting arbitrary detention, widespread surveillance and restrictions, particularly those targeting Uyghurs and other minorities, and urging China to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights meaningful access to Xinjiang. We will continue to raise our concerns with China bilaterally, and through the UN working with international partners.

China: Human Rights

Ben Everitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) steps his Department is taking to support the rights of Uyghur Muslims in extra-judicial detention in Xinjiang and (b) recent representations he has made to his Chinese counterpart on human rights abuses in China.

Nigel Adams: We have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang including the extra-judicial detention of over a million Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in "political re-education camps", systematic restrictions on Uyghur culture and the practice of Islam, and extensive and invasive surveillance targeting minorities.On 28 July, the Foreign Secretary raised our serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi. On 30 June, the UK read out a formal statement on behalf of 28 countries at the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council highlighting arbitrary detention, widespread surveillance and restrictions, particularly those targeting Uyghurs and other minorities, and urging China to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights meaningful access to Xinjiang. We will continue to raise our concerns with China bilaterally, and through the UN working with international partners.

China: Freezing of Assets

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what provisions he has made to freeze individual Chinese assets if they have played a role in the repression of the Uighur minority population; and if he will make a statement.

Nigel Adams: On 6 July, the UK Government established the Global Human Rights ('Magnitsky') sanctions regime by laying regulations in Parliament. This sanctions regime allows for asset freezes and travel bans on targeted individuals and organisations. It is not appropriate to speculate who may be designated under the sanctions regime in the future, as to do so could reduce the impact of the designations. We will keep all evidence and potential listings under close review.

Belarus

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many FTE staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been allocated to work dedicated to Belarus in each year since 2015.

Nigel Adams: It is not possible to provide a figure for all Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office UK Based Full Time Equivalents (FTE) who undertake work relating to Belarus.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Staff

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many staff will be employed by his Department on 1 September 2020.

Nigel Adams: The total number of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office staff is 7842 UK Based Staff and 9208 Local Staff/Staff Appointed in Country. This reflects the most recent data held by FCO and DFID

Human Rights: Coronavirus

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to help ensure that UN human rights work can restart (a) in a timely manner and (b) effectively during the covid-19 pandemic; and what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of resources available to the UN human rights system to support communities vulnerable to covid-19 throughout the world.

Nigel Adams: We are concerned that some governments are failing to comply with their human rights obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through our international engagement, including at the UN, we will continue to make clear that measures taken by States to tackle COVID-19 must be necessary, proportionate, time-bound, transparent and regularly reviewed.The UN's human rights work has continued throughout the pandemic, and the UK has maintained its strong support for the UN human rights system. We welcomed the Human Rights Council President's Statement on the implications of Covid-19 on human rights, and the Secretary General's report on how human rights should guide the Covid-19 response. As Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said in our closing statements to both the 43rd and 44th sessions of the Human Rights Council, we are grateful to the Human Rights Council President, and the Human Rights Council Secretariat, for their hard work and creativity in allowing the Human Rights Council to resume its work in a hybrid format. We are engaging closely with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to ensure that it is able to direct resources to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the enjoyment of human rights, particularly in the most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.

India: Coronavirus

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answers of 22 July 2020 to Questions 76098 and 76102 on India: Coronavirus, what estimate he has made of the number of UK residents stranded in India as a result of the covid-19 pandemic who registered for charter flights with his Department but remain in India.

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answers of 22 July 2020 to Questions 76098 and 76102 on India: coronavirus, how many instances there have been of multiple registrations by (a) the same person and (b) people who were not eligible to register.

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answers of 22 July 2020 to Questions 76098 and 76102 on India: coronavirus, how his Department determined the number of repatriation flights required to return UK residents from India without information on the number of UK residents requesting flights.

Nigel Adams: There is no requirement for residents to report their return to the UK via other means. However we estimate that many will have done so given the ability to travel on other services run by airlines, which have taken place since our last charter to India on 05 June. These include regular Air India "Vande Bharat" flights and, more recently, flights run by British Airways to the UK. The British government worked hard to ensure these flights could operate and is continuing to support other UK airlines resume their services, maximising options for UK residents who wish to return to the UK.

Rohingya: Offences against Children

Virginia Crosbie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the people responsible for crimes committed against Rohingyachildren are held to account; and if he will make it his policy to provide humanitarian support and protection for Rohingya refugee children.

Nigel Adams: The UK has been clear that those responsible for serious human rights violations should be held to account. We will continue to shine a spotlight on gross human rights violations committed by the Myanmar Military across the country. This includes horrific violence against children. The UK has been at the forefront of international demands for accountability. We have used our role on the UN Security Council to increase international attention on the Rohingya crisis and continue to lead calls for accountability. On 23 June, I spoke to the Myanmar Minister for International Cooperation. I encouraged Myanmar to continue to engage with the International Court of Justice process in a transparent way. The UK has worked with partners to try and implement the Fact Finding Mission recommendations, including establishing the UN Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar to collect and preserve evidence of atrocities. On 6 July, the UK's Global Human Rights sanction regime (GHR) listed the Myanmar military's Commander-in-Chief and Deputy Commander-in-Chief, for overseeing the systematic and brutal violence against the Rohingya and other minorities, as set out in the Independent Fact Finding Mission Report. This is in addition to the sanctions which the UK secured through the EU, against 14 members of the Myanmar military responsible for serious human rights violations.The UK is committed to protecting the most vulnerable populations around the globe including the Rohingya, and especially children. We work with humanitarian partners such as UNICEF in the Rohingya response to deliver robust child protection systems. UK aid is helping run community-based child protection and child-friendly centres in the Rohingya camps and supporting 3,000 children living with foster families, including victims of trafficking, to receive cash assistance, case management and psycho-social support. Improving access to and quality of education also remains a priority, including the roll out and expansion of the Myanmar curriculum.

Colombia: Paramilitary Forces

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of commitments in the Colombian peace deal for the Colombian Government to work towards the dismantling of paramilitary successor groups.

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of reports of ongoing actions of the paramilitary successor group Los Rastrojos in Colombia.

Wendy Morton: We remain concerned about the continued presence and activities of illegal armed groups in Colombia, and the impact?that?their involvement in,?and competition for,?control of illicit economies has on local people. We are aware of reports of the activities of?one such group,?Los?Rastrojos,?which has led?to the deaths?and widespread displacement of civilians near the Colombia-Venezuela border. Our Embassy continues to monitor the situation.We remain steadfast in our support of the Colombian authorities as they seek to ensure sustainable peace. We regularly raise our concern about the activities of illegal armed groups with the Colombian Government,?and in multilateral fora. Most recently, our Permanent Representative to the UN spoke on this issue at the UN Security Council on 14 July, and we consistently press the Colombian Government to focus on extending the rule of law to all parts of the country.?More widely, long-term security depends on socioeconomic development across Colombia as a whole. Embassy programmes?are working?to help communities develop alternative?livelihoods,?and?tackle the root causes of insecurity?in order?to?build?towards a sustainable and inclusive peace.

Belarus: Elections

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Belarus on the (a) integrity of its 2020 Presidential election and (b) mistreatment of anti-government protesters since that election.

Wendy Morton: The Government has been clear in condemning the violent suppression and detention of peaceful protesters, following the recent fraudulent Presidential elections in Belarus. We have been clear that we do not accept the election results. The UK is calling for an independent investigation through the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) into the conduct of the authorities leading up to, during and after the Presidential elections and the subsequent violent crackdown by authorities. We have raised these concerns directly with Belarusian Foreign Minister Makei.

Poland: Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Polish Government in response to Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro's recent statements that Poland will withdraw from the Istanbul Convention.

Wendy Morton: The UK accords a high priority to promoting gender equality and women's rights across the world. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials regularly raise gender issues, including domestic violence, in multilateral fora such as the UN and the Council of Europe. The UK signed the Istanbul Convention in 2012, signalling its strong commitment to tackling violence against women and girls; this Government remains committed to ratifying it. We encourage the Polish Government, too, to maintain its commitment to the Convention. The British Embassy in Warsaw is active on this agenda and supports NGOs working on women's rights. Later this month, the Embassy will be hosting a public webinar with British and Polish experts on lessons learned in dealing with domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic and will follow this with smaller group workshops with NGOs from the UK and Poland at which they will share experiences.

Poland: Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence

Taiwo Owatemi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to encourage the Polish Government to remain a signatory to the Istanbul Convention.

Wendy Morton: The UK accords a high priority to promoting gender equality and women's rights across the world. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials regularly raise gender issues, including domestic violence, in multilateral fora such as the UN and the Council of Europe. The UK signed the Istanbul Convention in 2012, signalling its strong commitment to tackling violence against women and girls; this Government remains committed to ratifying it. We encourage the Polish Government, too, to maintain its commitment to the Convention. The British Embassy in Warsaw is active on this agenda and supports NGOs working on women's rights. Later this month, the Embassy will be hosting a public webinar with British and Polish experts on lessons learned in dealing with domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic and will follow this with smaller group workshops with NGOs from the UK and Poland at which they will share experiences.

Ernesto Aguilar Barrera

Kate Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of reports of the murder of community activist Ernesto Aguilar Barreras in the Catatumbo region of Colombia.

Wendy Morton: We are aware of the reports that the community activist Ernesto Aguilar Barreras was among the victims of an attack in Tibú in mid-July, consequent on competition between rival illegal armed groups for control of illicit economies and territory.As we emphasised in the UN Security Council session on 14 July following the Special Representative's report, the UK continues to be concerned about the persistent level of violence towards human rights defenders, community activists such as Ernesto Aguilar Barreras, former FARC-EP combatants and others. We regularly raise these issues with the Colombian Government and in multilateral fora.We have urged the Colombian Government to prioritise the tackling of this violence and to continue to work to improve security conditions around the country. The UK is also committed to continuing its own programming to support the government's efforts and mitigate risks to communities.

Poland: LGBT People

Taiwo Owatemi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his Polish counterpart on what steps the Polish Government plans to take to help protect members of the LGBTIQ+ community in that country from attacks and harassment.

Wendy Morton: The UK is implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination and committed to promoting and protecting the rights and freedoms of LGBT people in all circumstances. Our Embassy in Warsaw is working actively on this agenda: it is engaged in dialogue with both civil society and the Polish Government, as well as with our diplomatic partners. It will continue to work with the LGBT community in Poland to identify opportunities to tackle discrimination and promote inclusion.The Embassy has established itself as one of the diplomatic missions in Warsaw that is most active on the LGBT agenda. During last year's Pride season, it brought the diplomatic community in Warsaw together to endorse a joint letter to the Polish Prime Minister expressing support for LGBT equality and respect for human rights, which over 50 diplomatic missions signed. In January,?it?hosted?a roundtable on the role of business and NGOs in promoting LGBT rights, bringing the Polish business and LGBT communities together to discuss how to jointly build a more inclusive society. This year, the Embassy flew the rainbow flag over the weekend of 20/21 June as part of its activity to promote Pride month.?Our Embassy continues to work closely with NGOs such as the Campaign?Against?Homophobia and Polish Society for Anti-Discrimination Law on projects to improve the situation of LGBT people in Poland.?We will continue to work through our Embassy in Warsaw and through international organisations, including the UN, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Commonwealth, to promote tolerance and to fight discrimination against LGBT people.

Colombia: Peace Negotiations

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the work of the Colombian Truth Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Wendy Morton: The UK sees the transitional justice system and the involvement of victims as vital elements of Colombia's 2016 Peace Accords. We are pleased that the Truth Commission and associated institutions have begun their work. We continue to emphasise our support for transitional justice in Colombia,?both with the government and in multilateral fora, including most recently at the UN Security Council on 14 July, where our Permanent Representative commended the Truth Commission and other institutions' quick adaptation to the pandemic by moving their work online.The UK government has contributed over £26 million towards transitional justice mechanisms,?and victims of the conflict in Colombia since 2016. This includes supporting the Truth Commission's work to gather testimonies?from Colombians?both in Colombia and abroad, including here in the UK. We will continue to work closely with the Colombian government and civil society on the peace process and related matters.

Poland: LGBT People

Taiwo Owatemi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to hold discussions with his Polish counterpart on alleged human rights abuses against LGBTIQ+ communities since the recent election of President Duda in that country.

Wendy Morton: The UK is implacably opposed to all forms of discrimination and committed to promoting and protecting the rights and freedoms of LGBT people in all circumstances. Our Embassy in Warsaw is working actively on this agenda: it is engaged in dialogue with both civil society and the Polish Government, as well as with our diplomatic partners. It will continue to work with the LGBT community in Poland to identify opportunities to tackle discrimination and promote inclusion.The Embassy has established itself as one of the diplomatic missions in Warsaw that is most active on the LGBT agenda. During last year's Pride season, it brought the diplomatic community in Warsaw together to endorse a joint letter to the Polish Prime Minister expressing support for LGBT equality and respect for human rights, which over 50 diplomatic missions signed. In January, it hosted a roundtable on the role of business and NGOs in promoting LGBT rights, bringing the Polish business and LGBT communities together to discuss how to jointly build a more inclusive society. This year, the Embassy flew the rainbow flag over the weekend of 20/21 June as part of its activity to promote Pride month.?The Embassy continues to work closely with NGOs such as the Campaign Against Homophobia and Polish Society for Anti-Discrimination Law on projects to improve the situation of LGBT people in Poland. We will continue to work through our Embassy in Warsaw and through international organisations, including the UN, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Commonwealth, to promote tolerance and to fight discrimination against LGBT people.

Myanmar: Overseas Aid

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the total budget was this year for DFID's Myanmar programme; and with reference to his 22 July announcement of cuts to the aid budget of £2.9bn, how much will be cut from the programme's proposed spend.

Nigel Adams: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget. The next step will be to discuss specific savings with suppliers and partners and revised ODA allocations will be published in due course after this has been completed.The Statistics for International Development published in 2021 will provide a full breakdown of the UK's ODA spend for 2020.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: Coronavirus

Sir Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on routine immunisation funded by the UK Government through GAVI.

Wendy Morton: Routine immunisation is the strongest shield against outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases such as measles and yellow fever. Mitigating indirect impacts of COVID-19 on essential health services in the poorest countries is a core UK priority. As Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance's largest donor, the UK's first and foremost priority is to deliver routine immunisation, maintain coverage levels, and reach underserved zero-dose children. In June, the Prime Minister hosted the Global Vaccine Summit, which raised $8.8 billion for Gavi's core mission of immunising a further 300 million children, and saving up to 8 million lives by 2025.Since the start of the pandemic in March, 70 Gavi-eligible countries have reported cases of COVID-19. Lockdown measures for COVID-19 have affected routine immunisation in the poorest countries - 44 Gavi vaccine introductions have been impacted so far, 18 Gavi-eligible countries have reported shipment delays, and approximately seven countries have reported stock-outs of vaccines at the central or subnational level. A number of Gavi-eligible countries have resumed campaigns and vaccine introductions, such as a measles campaign in Ethiopia, and diphtheria and oral polio vaccine campaigns in Yemen.

Business: Ethics

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the information note Mapping the UK’s approach to tackling corruption and illicit financial flows, published by ICAI in March 2020, what plans the Government has for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to deliver programmes to promote integrity and transparency of businesses overseas to help tackle corruption.

Nigel Adams: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office lead programmes to promote the integrity and transparency of businesses overseas, such as the Business Integrity Initiative, which supports UK and international small and medium-sized enterprises to guard against bribery and corruption when trading with developing countries.Programmes are still to be agreed subject to the outcome of the Integrated Review. As the Prime Minister stated during the Parliamentary debate on Global Britain on 16 June, this government remains committed to tackling corruption and illicit finance in the UK and overseas.

Developing Countries: Corruption

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to help ensure that the proceeds of corruption in developing countries do not enter the UK financial system.

Nigel Adams: This Government is committed to protecting and enhancing the integrity of the UK's financial system. Our efforts to tackle economic crime, including corruption in developing countries, are set out in the Economic Crime Plan 2019-2022, a joint public-private initiative. DFID works closely with Her Majesty's Treasury and other Government Departments to implement the international elements of that plan. That has included contributing Official Development Assistance to the establishment of the National Economic Crime Centre, through DFID's Tacking Illicit Finance Globally Programme, enabling it to work with developing countries around the world. It has also included increasing support to developing countries to tackle illicit finance by sharing UK expertise, establishing new Illicit Finance specialist posts in Kenya, Somalia, Mauritius and Nigeria.The UK's efforts to prevent and pursue the proceeds of corruption from developing countries with a UK connection of course pre-date the current Economic Crime Plan. For example, FCDO has funded the International Corruption Unit in the National Crime Agency, leading to 30 people and companies being convicted of corruption offences linked to developing countries and almost £1bn of stolen assets stolen being restrained, confiscated or returned to developing countries.

Tajikistan: Overseas Aid

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the total budget was this year for DFID's Tajikistan programme; and with reference to his 22 July announcement of cuts to the aid budget of £2.9bn, how much will be cut from the programme's proposed spend.

Wendy Morton: Revised ODA allocations for 2020/21 will be published by HM Treasury at Autumn Budget. The next step will be to discuss specific savings with suppliers and partners and revised ODA allocations will be published in due course after this has been completed.The Statistics for International Development published in 2021 will provide a full breakdown of the UK's ODA spend for 2020.

Department for International Development: Consultants

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the different fee rate caps for national and international experts working on projects funded by her Department, what assessment she has made of the equity of the system of fee rate caps for international, regional and national consultants; and what plans she has to remove those rate caps for national experts paid less than international and regional consultants.

James Cleverly: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) fee rates benchmark well against those paid by other donors and development organisations and provide good value for money. This was recognised by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact in its first report on our procurement practices. The FCDO currently uses a fee rate database, which allows us to benchmark rates against organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, as well as compare rates with other international aid organisations. This enables us to pay the appropriate rate for the job, based on expertise, experience and market conditions. We do not specify fee rates based on whether experts are international, regional or national. The database also enables us to identify any fee rates above set parameters and ensure suppliers provide a robust justification for any higher rate. This practice does not equate to setting a fee rate cap since we recognise that there will be occasions on which a higher fee rate is justified for example in a more challenging environment, for a niche specialism, or for a particular individual with a world-class reputation or skills.

Overseas Aid

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that ODA's achieve better value than cash transfers during the next three financial years.

James Duddridge: FCDO has strong processes in place to ensure Official Development Assistance is well spent and the principles of value for money are driven throughout each stage of the programme cycle.Cash transfers can be an effective means of delivering ODA, which is why we use them in appropriate contexts. For example, FCDO currently supports social protection and/or humanitarian cash transfer programmes in more than 30 countries, including Fragile and Conflict Affected States, which support people who are vulnerable to the economic impact of COVID-19 and helps deliver the Global Goals. ICAI conducted a review of DFID's use of Cash Transfers in 2017 which noted that that the portfolio "presents a strong value for money case" and that DFID has "used evidence and learning well to strengthen its results.

Liberia: Coronavirus

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of his Department's covid-19 travel guidance for Liberia.

James Duddridge: The safety of British nationals abroad is of paramount concern to the Government. The purpose of FCDO travel advice is to provide information to help British nationals make their own informed decisions about foreign travel. We advise against travel only when we consider the risk to British nationals to be unacceptably high. Due to the ongoing global pandemic, the FCDO continues to advise British nationals against all but essential international travel, with some countries and territories exempted where the risks are not unacceptably high. This advice is kept under constant review. In respect of Liberia, based on epidemiological evidence and other factors, we continue to advise against all non-essential travel. The latest update for Liberia was made on 15 August. These assessments are made by drawing on expert sources of information available including local knowledge, and the experience of our staff at the Embassy in Monrovia.

Ministry of Defence

Type 23 Frigates

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2020 to Question 18617 on Type 23 Frigates, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of that data being held centrally.

Jeremy Quin: With regard to the cost of the Type 23 programme, this draws together a number of capability enhancement programmes which are both platform specific and delivered across the entire surface fleet. Each programme is scrutinised and continually reviewed to ensure best value for money, and that the programme delivers the right outputs for Defence, as such there is no requirement to hold this information centrally.

Aircraft Carriers

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it remains his policy to deliver the Carrier Enabled Power Projection project by 2026 following the Infrastructure and Projects Authority report classifying the Type 26, Type 31, FSS and Astute programmes as Amber or Amber/Red.

Jeremy Quin: Achieving full operating capability for the Carrier Enabled Power Projection (CEPP) programme requires the delivery of three core programmes; Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, Lightning aircraft and the CROWSNEST radar system. The Department is on track to deliver CEPP full operating capability on time.

HMS Queen Elizabeth: Deployment

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the environmental impact will be of the first deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the amount of CO2 that will be generated by the first deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Jeremy Quin: HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH was designed, as far as possible, to minimise her impact on the environment, incorporating many new technologies such as integrated platform management system which allows only the minimum number of engines to be operated, adapting to demand. Until the duration and nature of the deployment is finalised it is not possible to accurately estimate the environmental impact or amount of CO2 that will be generated by HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH on this tasking.

Cyprus: Military Bases

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions the Administration of the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus has had with the local population on future developments of that base.

James Heappey: The Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) regularly engages with its local communities through the Administrator and his officials, supported by the High Commission in Nicosia where appropriate. This regular engagement includes discussion on future development, on which the views of the local communities are sought. Most notably, the SBAA continues to engage extensively with representatives and members of the communities on non-military development, with a full public consultation taking place earlier this year.

HMS Queen Elizabeth: Deployment

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the purpose is of the first deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth.

James Heappey: Following her first deployment in 2019, the next deployment of the HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH will be as part of the Carrier Strike Group in 2021 (CSG21). CSG21 will be a profound moment in the UK's military history, a key milestone in achieving our Carrier Strike Full Operating Capability and an opportunity to showcase this world-leading capability on a global stage. It will be an ambitious deployment which also demonstrates the UK's commitment to upholding a rules-based international system, reinforces the UK's commitment to a global Britain and invests in our relationships with global friends and partners. Once plans have been agreed, the Government will bring a statement on the deployment before Parliament.

Oman: Military Bases

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the (a) current and (b) projected capital costs for the joint logistics support base and regional land training hub at Duqm, Oman.

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the annual revenue costs of the joint logistics support base and regional land training hub at Duqm, Oman for each of the next five years.

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost is to his Department of renting facilities at Duqm, Oman.

James Heappey: I am withholding this information as it would, or would be likely to, prejudice our relations with another State.The UK will continue to invest into Duqm to provide the UK with a Joint Logistic Support Base and Regional Training and Logistic Hub in Oman. Its location is strategically useful for the UK and facilitates maritime basing east of Suez but outside of the Gulf. The port was used to support the delivery of Ex SAIF SAREEA 3-the UK's largest joint exercise since 2001-which tested our ability to conduct a strategic deployment to the Middle East and to underpin one of the UK's bilateral strategic partnerships.

Afghanistan: Interpreters

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made in his discussions with the Home Secretary on enabling admittance to the UK for Afghan citizens who served as interpreters for the UK armed forces.

James Heappey: Her Majesty's Government has so far relocated 445 locally employed civilians who formerly served with UK Armed Forces in Afghanistan, plus 872 of their family members.The Secretary of State for Defence and the Home Secretary recognise the importance of this issue and are committed to ensuring a fair system for the resettlement of Afghan interpreters. They met recently on 27 July 2020 to resolve outstanding issues and, on that basis, the Defence Secretary has tasked Ministry of Defence officials to consult with other Departments on potential changes to the criteria for relocation to the UK of former locally employed civilians in Afghanistan.

Patrol Craft

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to increase the number of his Department's patrol vessels to tackle crime around the UK's coasts.

James Heappey: The Home Office through Border Force and the Police, are responsible for policing and maritime security around the UK, including the UK's Territorial Waters. Defence continues to engage with colleagues from the Police and Border Force, and Defence assets may be provided in support if requested and appropriate.

Officers: Devonport Dockyard

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to reduce the most senior officer role for Devonport Naval Base from a Commodore to a Captain.

James Heappey: As part of the Royal Navy's constant drive to innovate and provide best value for money they routinely review the rank and structure of the shore based footprint to ensure we are maximising output at the front line at sea. Any decisions taken will be made as part of the wider review under Project HECATE which seeks to rebalance shore to sea based roles.

Porton Down: Coronavirus

John Lamont: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assistance the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory has provided in tackling covid-19.

James Heappey: The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is a world-class asset which has been supporting the UK's COVID-19 response since the outset, as well as supporting military readiness. This contribution has included laboratory-based research and testing, and the deployment of scientific staff across Government.Dstl analysts have provided vital evidence to inform SAGE and its subcommittees, Cabinet Office decision making and local resilience planning. Dstl scientists have evaluated a number of prototype COVID-19 related products, identified suitable products to reduce turnaround time for disinfection of Ambulances, carried out diagnostic tests within NHS hospitals, and set up a Defence COVID Laboratory to provide PCR testing on Defence personnel under the national testing programme. Dstl research in a number of fields has been published, either to inform or as a basis for further research by other organisations. Dstl has also been involved in the establishment of the Joint BioSecurity Centre[1].Dstl continues to provide support across Government and is now conducting longer-term research that will support the UK's ongoing response.[1] The JBC brings together the UK's leading data analysis and epidemiological expertise with the aim of ensuring that outbreaks of coronavirus (COVID-19) are detected and brought under control quickly (link here)term research that will support the UK's ongoing response.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft: Procurement

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it remains his Department's policy to purchase 138 F-35 aircraft.

Jeremy Quin: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to my right hon. Friend, the Member for Bournemouth East (Tobias Ellwood) to Question 83683.83683 - Joint Strike Fighter (docx, 13.7KB)

Navy: Fisheries

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2020 to Question 1181 on Fisheries: Navy, which two to three offshore patrol vessels he plans to assign to fisheries safeguarding after the transition period.

James Heappey: Up to three Batch 1 Offshore Patrol Vessels (HMS TYNE, HMS MERSEY, HMS SEVERN) are currently programmed to perform fishery protection duties after the completion of the transition period, however this is subject to change and dependent on wider Defence and HMG priorities.

Ministry of Defence: Staff

Neil O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of staff in his Department have equality, diversity or inclusion in their job title.

Johnny Mercer: 44 civilian positions in the Ministry of Defence and its Executive Agencies specifically include the terms equality, diversity or inclusion in their job title as recorded by electronic Human Resources Management systems.

Ministry of Defence: Personnel Management

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in his Department's human resources section in April 2020.

Johnny Mercer: The information requested can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2020Table 8A of the Cabinet Office 'Annual Civil Service Employment Survey' provides details of the UK civil service workforce by Department and job profession, including the category 'Human Resource'. The information provided is correct as at 31 March 2020.

Ministry of Defence: Journalism

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the compatibility of his Department's policy on engagement with journalists from selective publications and the Civil Service Code.

Johnny Mercer: The Ministry of Defence engages with media outlets who report responsibly.We take care to consider the reputation and track-record of all domestic and international publications as part of that commitment to openness and accuracy.

Department for Work and Pensions

State Retirement Pensions

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons state pensions in Northern Ireland are devolved but a reserved matter for the Scottish Parliament; and if she will make a statement.

Guy Opperman: State Pension across the UK is funded from National Insurance contributions, with there being one National Insurance Fund which serves Great Britain and a separate fund serving Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Fund is administered in line with the principle of parity with Great Britain. The Northern Ireland Act 1998 sets out reserved and excepted matters, and anything not specifically mentioned in these lists is deemed to be transferred to the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly. This includes all pensions-related legislation. However, in general, social security and pensions in Northern Ireland operate in parity with Great Britain, and there are mechanisms in place to provide for liaison between the National Insurance Funds in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Recommendations on which areas of social security should be devolved to Scotland, agreed by the five main parties represented in the Scottish Parliament, were contained in the Smith Commission report published on 27 November 2014. These recommendations were taken forward and formed the basis of the Scotland Act 2016.

Universal Credit

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made for the implications of her policy of the Court of Appeal judgment handed down on 22 June 2020 on the Universal Credit system; and if she will make a statement.

Will Quince: The Court of Appeal judgment affects a small minority of claimants in very specific circumstances, those who receive two calendar monthly payments of earnings in one assessment period and lose out on the work allowance. We recognise the impact that having double earnings in an assessment period can have on individual claimants and their ability to manage their finances. While the court judgment does not require us to fix this issue by a particular date, we are currently working on ways to resolve this for claimants as soon as possible. We will keep the House updated as progress is made.

Industrial Accidents: Death

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she made of the (a) effectiveness of enhanced RIDDOR reporting, (b) potential merits of appointing a confidential reporting body for all near misses and accidents that do not qualify for RIDDOR reporting and (c) potential merits of extending Working Well Together safety campaigns to industries outside the construction sector to reduce the number of working at height fatalities.

Mims Davies: The 2019 report from the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for falls from height (FFH) made a number of recommendations to the Government to reduce fatal and serious injuries from FFH in the UK. Recommendations were subsequently considered at a Westminster Hall debate. The Minister for Disabled Persons, the Rt. Hon. Justin Tomlinson MP made a formal Ministerial statement setting out the Government response. The APPG discussed the issue of enhanced RIDDOR reporting with The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and highlighted that the free text section of the online RIDDOR reporting form already allows for recording of the additional detail requested by the APPG. The access industry was tasked with considering industry guidance for using the free text section to improve intelligence and consistency of this data. HSE agreed to explore this further with the APPG. The Ministerial Statement also confirmed HSE’s position on the APPG recommendation for the appointment of a confidential reporting body. HSE agreed that if such a body were to be set up, for it to be truly independent, it would need to be led by industry not HSE. The possibility of extending Working Well Together (WWT) safety campaigns to other industries has been discussed by the WWT steering group. They felt that they wanted to stay focused on construction industries at present.

Kickstart Scheme

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of the requirement for candidates for the kickstart scheme to be in receipt of universal credit on the take-up of that scheme; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing that requirement.

Mims Davies: Our initial focus is on young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment as they have most to gain from an opportunity like Kickstart. Work Coaches will work with young people to identify those most suitable for the Kickstart scheme and can match suitable young people to vacancies. We will consider expanding to other groups as we grow the volume of Kickstart roles available.

Hygiene: Products

Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans the Government has to review the regulatory regime for hand sanitiser products to ensure those on sale are both safe and effective.

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans the Government has to review the regulation of sales of hand sanitiser products to (a) help ensure they are (i) safe and (ii) effective and (b) tackle price gouging of those products.

Mims Davies: The EU Biocidal Products Regulation 528/2012 (BPR) has applied since 2013. In line with the EU Exit Withdrawal Agreement, the BPR is being retained with changes to reflect the position at the end of the Transition Period. This process does not allow the UK to make policy changes. Thus, there are no current plans to review the procedures within the UK biocides legislation. HSE has no evidence that the current regulatory approach is ineffective. BPR requires that all the active substances used in hand sanitiser products are reviewed for their safety, both to people and the wider environment. Only products containing active substances that are undergoing that review process are allowed to be marketed. Once the review of an active substance has been completed and the active is approved as being suitable to continue being used, each product containing that substance is then assessed, both for safety and for efficacy. While the review of an active substance is ongoing, products containing that substance can continue to be marketed subject to the requirements of general legislation relating to product safety and the supply of chemicals. The BPR does not regulate the price of hand sanitiser products. There are no current plans to review the regulation of sales of hand sanitiser products.

Employment Schemes: Young People

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Government expects a return to the Exchequer from the (a) implementation of the Kickstart Scheme and (b) expansion of existing work placement schemes.

Mims Davies: A) The aim of Kickstart is to provide good quality jobs for young people most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed and suffering potential scarring effects. As part of delivering the programme we will manage programme performance to check that we are managing public money effectively to provide the greatest possible impact for all participants, employers and exchequer.An evaluation of Future Jobs Fund demonstrated that over a sufficient timescale this kind of scheme could return a positive value.  B) In July, the Chancellor announced an expansion of sector-based work academies, which provide pre-employment training, work experience and a guaranteed job interview linked to a genuine job vacancy. A return to Exchequer is expected: an impact analysis published in 2016 showed that 19- to 24-year-olds who took part in a sector-based work academy spent on average 29 days less on benefits and 50 days longer in employment in the 18 months following their placement; for those who undertook all three elements these figures were 38 days and 66 days respectively. Analysis also showed each sector-based work academy placement is estimated to have a net benefit to the Exchequer of £100 and an estimated financial benefit to each participant of £1,950. Results suggest the impact extends beyond the 18 months tracked in the study. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sector-based-work-academies-a-quantitative-impact-assessment

Kickstart Scheme

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of permanent jobs that will be created by the Kickstart Scheme.

Mims Davies: We have made no estimate of the number of permanent jobs that will be created by the Kickstart Scheme; nor have we set targets. We want as many young people as possible to move from their Kickstart role into a permanent job. And we hope that many employers will find that they are in a position to offer a permanent role following a Kickstart placement. Where this is not possible, the Kickstart participant will be supported to find a role with another employer after they have completed their Kickstart funded job.At the end of six months, these young people will have recent experience for their CV and new skills, giving them a much stronger starting point to pursue their job goals

Pensions: Windrush Generation

Patricia Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Home Secretary on the effect of her Department's frozen overseas pension policy on members of the Windrush generation.

Guy Opperman: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues, including the Home Secretary, on a range of issues.

Pensions: Windrush Generation

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Home Secretary on the effect of the frozen pension policy on the livelihoods of members of the Windrush generation.

Guy Opperman: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues, including the Home Secretary, on a range of issues.

State Retirement Pensions

Liz Twist: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure the maintenance of the triple lock on pensions in the 2019 Parliament.

Guy Opperman: The Government is committed to ensuring that older people are able to live with the dignity and respect they deserve, and the State Pension is the foundation of state support for older people. In April 2020, both the basic and new State Pensions (excluding protected payments) increased by 3.9%, in line with average earnings. The full yearly basic State Pension is worth over £1,900 more in 2020/21 than it was in 2010.

Personal Independence Payment

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have died while waiting for their eligibility for personal independence payment to be determined since April 2018.

Justin Tomlinson: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is claimed by people with a range of health conditions and disabilities, many of which are degenerative or life limiting and the Department treats the death of any claimant sympathetically. New Claims made under Special Rules for Terminal Illness (SRTI) are fast tracked and are being cleared in 5 working days on average (as at the end of April 2020, the latest available published data). The cause of death of claimants to PIP is not collated centrally by the Department. Between April 2018 and 30th April 2020, the latest date for which data is available, 1,662,080 registrations were made for PIP New Claims and Reassessments from DLA. Of these, 7,260 (less than 0.5%) claimants died prior to a decision being made on their case.Notes: Sources: PIP ADS, Customer Information System These figures include claims made under Normal Rules or Special Rules for Terminal Illness and include new claims and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to PIP reassessment claims.If a claimant dies before a decision is made on an outstanding claim, the Department establishes whether the claimant’s representative or next of kin wishes to proceed with the claim. If not, the claim is withdrawn.This is unpublished data from the PIP computer system’s (PIP CS) management information. It should be used with caution and may be subject to future revision.Figures cover registrations made from April 2018 – April 2020, clearances made up to April 2020 and claimant deaths from April 2018 – April 2020 as recorded on the system at 31st July 2020 and may be subject to retrospection.Figures are rounded to the nearest 10GB only. Under the Social Security (Notification of Deaths) Regulations 2012 and s125 of Social Security Administration Act 1992 date of death is provided to the Department for all registered deaths. Additionally next of kin also provide information on the date of death of an individual and this information is used appropriately in the administration of Departmental benefits.

Occupational Pensions: Small Businesses

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the financial effect on small businesses of workplace pensions.

Guy Opperman: Automatic enrolment is a success story that has seen over 10 million employees automatically enrolled into a workplace pension. Many of those workers benefitting were once poorly served or excluded from workplace pension saving, with many more women, lower earners and younger people building an asset for their future. The Department’s evaluation of automatic enrolment and ongoing monitoring of the impacts of workplace pensions means that the we regularly check how the meeting of their automatic enrolment duties affects small businesses financially. Evidence from the 2019 Automatic Enrolment Evaluation report1 and a separate research study with new employers2 indicates that whilst some small and micro employers have experienced increased costs as a result of automatic enrolment, they tended to perceive the costs involved in monthly administration of pension contributions to be relatively low and the contributions themselves as manageable in the context of the overall running costs of their business. Our immediate focus during the covid-19 national lock-down was to support employers and savers through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which included the payment of employer workplace pension contributions up until the end of July. At the same time, the Pensions Regulator took a proportionate approach on automatic enrolment compliance to minimise unnecessary burdens on hard-pressed employers, giving them more time and flexibility to meet their duties. By early August, our unprecedented package of emergency support to employers was helping 1.2 million businesses and furloughing 9.6 million jobs. Our aim remains to support, create and protect jobs - giving businesses confidence to retain and hire new workers builds capacity for retirement saving. In the Chipping Barnet constituency, since 2012, approximately 10,000 eligible jobholders have been automatically enrolled and 3,030 employers have supported their employees3. 1 Automatic Enrolment evaluation report 2019, DWP, February 2020https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/automatic-enrolment-evaluation-report-20192 Automatic Enrolment: qualitative research with new employers, DWP, February 2020https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/automatic-enrolment-qualitative-research-with-new-employers3 The Pensions Regulator’s data on Automatic enrolment declaration of compliance by constituency, available via the following weblink:https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/document-library/research-and-analysis/data-requests

Personal Independence Payment

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who applied for personal independence payment died within six months of making their application since April 2018.

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants of personal independence payments have died within three months of having their application rejected since April 2018.

Justin Tomlinson: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is claimed by people with a range of health conditions and disabilities, many of which are degenerative or life limiting and the Department treats the death of any claimant sympathetically. New Claims made under Special Rules for Terminal Illness (SRTI) are fast tracked and are being cleared in 5 working days on average (as at the end of April 2020, the latest available published data). The cause of death of claimants to PIP is not collated centrally by the Department. Between April 2018 and 31st October 2019, 1,360,420 registrations were made for PIP New Claims and Reassessments from DLA. Of these, 18,290 died within 6 months of registering a claim to PIP up to 30th April 2020.Between April 2018 and 31st January 2020, 688,100 disallowances at initial decision were made for PIP New Claims and Reassessments from DLA. Of these, 3,310 died within 3 months of receiving a disallowance decision up to 30th April 2020. Notes Sources: PIP ADS, Customer Information System PIP data includes normal rules and special rules for the terminally ill claimants, and is for both new claims and DLA reassessment claims.This analysis only takes the first registration a claimant makes to PIP.This is unpublished data from the PIP computer system’s (PIP CS) management information. It should be used with caution and may be subject to future revision.Data has been rounded to the nearest 10.Figures cover PIP claims registered from April 2018 – October 2019, initial decisions made from April 2018 – January 2020, and deaths from April 2018 up to 30th April 2020 as recorded at 31st July 2020. Data and may be subject to retrospection.GB Only.  Under the Social Security (Notification of Deaths) Regulations 2012 and s125 of Social Security Administration Act 1992 date of death is provided to the Department for all registered deaths. Additionally next of kin also provide information on the date of death of an individual and this information is used appropriately in the administration of Departmental benefits.

Coronavirus: Quarantine

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to offer financial support to British residents who are required to self-isolate on return from travelling abroad.

Justin Tomlinson: People who are required to self-isolate on their return from travelling abroad may be eligible for Universal Credit. This can be applied for online and includes extra money for housing and children. If a British resident has paid and/or been credited with sufficient National Insurance contributions in the last 2 to 3 tax years, they may also be eligible for New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This can also be applied for on-line. It can be claimed on its own or as well as Universal Credit. An application can also be made to New Style Employment and Support Allowance if the claimant has a disability or health condition that affects how much they can work. We have made changes to ESA in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. These includes removing waiting days for ESA for claimants affected by Covid-19, so it will be payable from day one of the claim, subject to the claimant satisfying the normal conditions of entitlement. In addition we are treating all ESA claimants who satisfy the conditions of entitlement and are required to self-isolate in line with government guidance, including those required to quarantine on returning from abroad, as having limited capability for work, without the requirement to provide a fit note or to undergo a Work Capability Assessment.

Food Banks: Coronavirus

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to provide further support to food banks in response to a potential increase in unemployment as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ends.

Will Quince: The Department for Work and Pensions has no plans to provide support to food banks which are run by independent charitable organisations. However, the Department is committed to providing a strong welfare safety net of financial support for those that need it. In addition to the £5 billion increase in benefit rates from April 2020, we have injected more than £9 billion into the welfare system in response to Covid-19, increasing Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit by up to £1,040 for this financial year, benefiting over four million households. We have also increased Local Housing Allowance rates - putting an average of £600 into people’s pockets.  The Department also works in partnership with a variety of stakeholders as well as through Jobcentre Plus offices, to provide factual information on the range of benefits available, including Universal Credit (which is also an in-work benefit). When somebody has an enquiry or change in their circumstances, we actively encourage them to establish their eligibility and start an application as soon as it is right for them. No one has to wait five weeks for Universal Credit as new claim advances are available. This information is promoted through social media and advertising which directs people to the Understanding Universal Credit website for further information.

Armed Forces: Pensions

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons payments from the (a) Armed Forces Pension Scheme and (b) War Pension Scheme that are paid out early due to injury in service are treated as income when being assessed for universal credit.

Will Quince: Payments made under the War Pension Scheme or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme are not taken into account as income in Universal Credit. Income-related benefits already partially disregard War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments for injuries and bereavement. With the introduction of Universal Credit, we have gone a step further, and have ensured that War Pensions and all Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments are fully disregarded in the assessment of income for Universal Credit. All other regular, occupational and personal pension payments, that are designed to provide support to help people meet their living costs, are taken fully into account in the assessment of entitlement to Universal Credit.

Industrial Accidents

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the number of (a) fatalities and (b) serious injuries which occur as a result of working at height.

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions she had with the (a) Health and Safety Executive and (b) Access Industry Forum on reducing the number of serious injuries and fatalities from working at height.

Mims Davies: The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) regulatory activities include inspection and enforcement of workplace activities and will address risks of working at height where they are relevant. In the 2019/20 work year, HSE served 239 Improvement Notices and 809 Prohibition Notices to secure improved management of risk and prevent work where there was uncontrolled risk relating to work at height. HSE also undertook specific of programmes of work targeting industries where incidents relating to work at height are prevalent such as agriculture and construction. HSE has published guidance on steps necessary to tackle this risk in a range of workplaces: https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/index.htm. DWP regularly meet with HSE to discuss a range of topics. HSE have recently reiterated their support to the APPG for working at height as it takes forward actions to reduce injuries and fatal accidents. This includes engagement with the Access Industry Forum on this important topic.

Child Maintenance Service: Standards

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service's Financial Investigations Unit.

Mims Davies: The Financial Investigations Unit (FIU) is equipped with powers to conduct full and in depth investigations in to allegations made against a paying parent’s financial circumstances. They will then determine the most appropriate action to get Child Maintenance Payments flowing to the receiving parent. Please find attached statistics of actions taken by FIU. These can be found on Table 12 of the National Tables available on Gov.uk https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-maintenance-service-statistics-data-to-march-2020-experimental

Natural Gas: Safety

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to amend the Gas Safety Management Regulations to allow hydrogen blending within the main grid to levels higher than 0.1 per cent by volume; and if she will make a statement.

Mims Davies: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently reviewing the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 (GSMR). This includes the safe composition of gas for transmission and distribution in Great Britain’s gas network. Following completion of the review, I will consider any proposals for change HSE puts forward.

Child Maintenance Service: Standards

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she will take to improve the ability of the Child Maintenance Service to scrutinise effectively new claims of hardship from a paying parent who has previously been proven by the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support) to falsify their financial records.

Mims Davies: Maintenance liabilities broadly continue to be based on the NRP’s historic income; this is largely gross annual income information provided by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for the latest available tax year. This will enable calculations to be made more quickly minimising opportunity for inaccuracies. The scheme is designed so that liabilities remain consistent over the year, with limited changes. The calculation is reviewed annually, and generally only changes during the year if a parents’ income increases or decreases by at least 25%. This threshold ensures calculations are relative stable for both the paying parent and receiving parent, so both parents know what to expect in terms of payments. The Department recognises that some parents have more control over providing false income records which we use to calculate maintenance. In the first instance, we are working more closely with HMRC and making changes to prevent fraudulent behaviour. The CMS recently introduced changes to improve channels of communication between the Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) who investigate cases with complex earnings queries and HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS). Where an NRP’s gross income has been disputed, the Child Maintenance Group (CMG) can request a breakdown of the income figure provided by HMRC. Those found to be abusing the system at this difficult time are subject to the full extent of our enforcement powers and the Child Maintenance Service will pursue these, where appropriate. The department remains committed to an effective child maintenance scheme that ensures all parents contribute financially for their children.

Jobcentres: Recruitment

Neil Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 29 July 2020 to Question 74613 on Jobcentres: Staff, what progress her Department has made on the recruitment of the new work coaches.

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2020 to Question 73027 on Universal Credit: Coronavirus, what progress has been made on the Government target to double the number of work coaches.

Mims Davies: Work Coach recruitment commenced in June with an initial cross government campaign and followed by a further 12 targeted external campaigns at the beginning of July. Additional external campaigns will be launched on Wednesday 9 September with further adverts launching on a weekly basis over the following 4 weeks. Over 300 new work coaches have now started and our plans will see over 4500 start by 31 October with a further 9000 starting by 31 March 2021.

Child Maintenance Service: Standards

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to prevent silo working and improve information sharing within the Child Maintenance Service.

Mims Davies: The Child Maintenance Service is committed to keeping an open dialogue and providing a cohesive service with other departments and stakeholders. We also continue to take opportunities to improve sharing of information where legislation allows. Some examples of this are obtaining Real Time Income information from HMRC to inform Maintenance Calculations and ongoing negotiations to share information relating to self-employed parents who have been furloughed as a result of COVID-19 In addition, we have worked closely with HM Passport Office and Border Agency to taken forward the removal of passports to enhance our enforcement powers. The Service is also creating closer working with HMCTS, as Courts Services are being digitised, to deliver a more efficient and cost effective service for our customers.

Pension Credit

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) pension credit claims and (b) successful pension credit claims there were in each of the last 12 months for which data is available.

Guy Opperman: The number of Pension Credit Claims Received in the last 12 months is shown in table below.We do not hold the information requested in part (b) of your question.  Aug-19Sep-19Oct-19Nov-19Dec-19Jan-20Feb-20Mar-20Apr-20May-20Jun-20Jul-20Pension Credit Claims Received748778731064583186615854095741255795678613900417087 Source: DWP internal dataPlease note that the data supplied is derived from unpublished management information which was collected for internal Departmental use only and has not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. The data should therefore be treated with caution.

Cosmetics: Safety

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government takes to ensure that face painters use paint that is compliant with the CE standards required under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products.

Mims Davies: Cosmetic products, including face paints, must comply with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products and must be safe before they can be placed on the market. Local Authority Trading Standards have responsibility for enforcement of these regulations. In the workplace, health and safety laws apply only to those who offer face painting services commercially (employing organisations, those they employ and the self-employed). The requirements do not apply to members of the public or to those who carry out face painting on a voluntary, non-commercial basis e.g. at a community fete. Employers and the self-employed have general responsibilities under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) to manage the risks presented by their business to ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the safety and health of members of the public affected by their business. Whilst HSWA does not specify the standard of face paint to be used in meeting these legal duties, commercial face painters would be expected to ensure that the paints used on clients meet the relevant standards and are safe for use eg that they do not cause harmful skin reactions. Whilst the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) holds the national policy lead for the leisure and beauty industries, responsibility for enforcing health and safety legislation at individual work premises in these sectors rests primarily with the Local Authority Environmental Health Department where the premises are located. HSE would enforce where a peripatetic commercial face painter carries out their work in domestic premises e.g. at a children’s party. Local Authorities and HSE take a risk-based approach to targeting their regulatory activities and in terms of occupational health and safety, face painting would generally be deemed as low risk. However, where there is evidence that risks are not being properly managed e.g. as a result of concerns being raised or incidents reported, the appropriate enforcing authority is able to intervene and take appropriate enforcement action to ensure that employees and customers are protected.

Kickstart Scheme

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she will take to ensure that work placements on the Kickstart Scheme are in addition to and not a replacement for existing jobs.

Mims Davies: The aim of the Kickstart Scheme is to fund the creation of additional jobs for young people at risk of long-term unemployment. The job placements created with Kickstart funding must be new jobs and must not replace existing or planned vacancies. All organisations applying for Kickstart funding will need to provide evidence that any Kickstart roles they plan to create are additional jobs and are not replacements for existing jobs, before they receive any funding. Detailed information can be found in the link below:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-apply-for-a-grant-through-the-kickstart-scheme

Kickstart Scheme

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she had with trade unions in developing the Kickstart Scheme.

Mims Davies: Engagement with stakeholders has been a vital part of developing the Kickstart Scheme. Throughout the rapid policy development phase, we have engaged with over 300 individual stakeholders and/or stakeholder organisations. This includes employers and business representative organisations, local and regional representatives, devolved administrations, and third sector organisations including the Trade Unions Congress.

Older Workers: Coronavirus

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that older workers are able to contribute to the economic recovery from the covid-19 outbreak.

Mims Davies: DWP has been working with employer organisations – including CIPD, British Chambers of Commerce, ACAS, Local Enterprise Partnerships and the Government Business Champion for Older Workers – to reach small and medium enterprises by hosting webinars to spread important messages about the need to support their older workers in order to retain them in the workforce and maintain their well-being and productivity. Government has also provided £1.2bn to enhance work search support service in Great Britain, which includes doubling the number of frontline Work Coaches in Jobcentre Plus by the end of the financial year, increasing the flexible support fund, extending the rapid response service, increasing the number of Sector Based Work Academies, and expanding the work and health programme. Government recognises the importance of planning effectively for the future and in encouraging productive workplace conversations. We therefore support the mid-life MOT and launched a webpage in 2019 which offers support to those considering a change in career in its stock-take across the key areas of work, health and finances.

Kickstart Scheme

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what measures the Government plans to introduce to ensure that work placements created by the Kickstart Scheme provide high quality employment; and what definition of high quality the Government plans apply when making assessments of those work placements.

Mims Davies: We set out what we mean by ‘high quality’ and employability-related support in the bidding document that all applicants for grant funding will complete. We expect Kickstart participants will receive on-the-job training, skills development, mentoring and careers advice as well as support to help them find sustained employment after they have completed their Kickstart funded job. Bidders will need to provide details of their plans to provide this support in their application. Detailed information can be found in the link below: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-apply-for-a-grant-through-the-kickstart-scheme

Universal Credit: Disability

Zarah Sultana: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to permanently abolish (a) conditionality, (b) sanctioning and (c) the five-week wait for universal credit for disabled claimants.

Mims Davies: We have no plans.

Kickstart Scheme

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to impose mandatory conditions to encourage (a) universal credit and (b) job seeker's allowance claimants aged below 25 to participate in the Kickstart Scheme.

Mims Davies: Work Coaches will work with young people to agree the part of the wider package of support which best meets their needs, including whether to offer them the opportunity to participate in Kickstart.

Unemployment: West Midlands

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the most recent unemployment figures are for (a) Birmingham and (b) the West Midlands by, (i) gender, (ii) age, (iii) religion, (iv) ethnicity, and (v) socioeconomic group.

Mims Davies: Estimates of the number of people who are unemployed are compiled by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) using the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and Annual Population Survey (APS). The LFS provides national and regional unemployment estimates whilst the APS, which is a modified version of the LFS, allows sub-regional analysis. Estimates are based on a sample of cases and therefore subject to sampling uncertainty. Unemployment estimates at sub-regional geographies such as local authorities and parliamentary constituencies are especially uncertain, as are estimates by sub-group of the population. Many estimates of unemployment used in this answer are publicly available on the NOMIS website (https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/). Other sources are outlined in the footnotes.  Table 1: Estimates of unemployment in a) Birmingham and b) the West Midlands by specified group  GenderAge1 Religion2Ethnicity1,4Socio-economic group5 MaleFemale16-2424-4950-64 WhiteEthnic Minority Birmingham (000s)30[1]24124237- 22331- 5West Midlands (000s)66[3]643546424- 29449-  5 1 Source: Apr 2019-Mar 2020, Annual Population Survey2 National unemployment rates are available in the “Religion, education and work in England and Wales: February 2020” available at the following link, more detailed breakdowns have low sample sizes https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/religion/articles/religioneducationandworkinenglandandwales/february20203 Apr 2020-Jun 2020, Labour Force Survey, total unemployed - aged 16 and over4 https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/work-pay-and-benefits/unemployment-and-economic-inactivity/unemployment/latest#title5 ONS publish employment by socio-economic classification on NOMIS but not unemployment

Kickstart Scheme

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what data the Government plans to collect to assess the impact of the Kickstart scheme; how often that data will be published; and whether that data will be disaggregated by (a) geographic area, (b) age and (c) disability.

Mims Davies: The Kickstart scheme will be subject to evaluation to assess its impact. We expect to make use of a range of data on participants and employers, collected via a range of sources including grant agreements and management information.

Universal Credit: Work Capability Assessment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of universal credit limited capability for work and limited capability for work related activity mandatory reconsiderations resulted in a change of award since the beginning of May 2020.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Kickstart Scheme

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) chambers of commerce, (b) local authorities, (c) trade bodies and (d) groups of employers have signed up as representatives for the Kickstart scheme.

Mims Davies: The opportunity for employers or other organisations to apply for Kickstart funding only opened on 2nd September so we have yet to approve any grants. But there is considerable interest from a wide range of organisations in becoming representatives including from chambers of commerce, local authorities, trade bodies as well as employers.Engagement with stakeholders has been a vital part of developing the Kickstart Scheme. Throughout the rapid policy development phase, we have engaged with over 300 individual stakeholders and/or stakeholder organisations. This includes employers and business representative organisations, local and regional representatives, devolved administrations, and third sector organisations including the Trade Unions Congress. We will continue to engage with them post-launch to enable them to join Government in delivering the Scheme.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) universal credit and (b) employment and support allowance claimants were found fit for work but were awarded (i) limited capability for work and (ii) limited capability for work related activity after appeal in each month in the last 12 months.

Justin Tomlinson: Statistics on Employment and Support Allowance Work Capability Assessment (WCA) outcomes are published quarterly. The latest figures covering the outcome of completed initial and repeat WCAs including appeals decisions and mandatory reconsiderations, can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/employment-and-support-allowance-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessment Additional breakdowns of the ESA WCA figures can be found at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/ Guidance for users is available at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html The information requested for Universal Credit is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether updated assessment guidance stating that new-style employment and support allowance claimants who are unable to do a telephone assessment will receive the assessment rate until they have a face-to-face assessment also applies to universal credit limited capability for work claimants.

Justin Tomlinson: Universal Credit (UC) claimants who are unable to participate in a work capability assessment (WCA) by telephone will continue to receive their appropriate UC Standard Allowance, plus any additions, for example, housing costs and children, during the period they are waiting for the outcome decision of a face-to-face WCA.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who applied for (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payments needed reasonable adjustments in order to make their claim in the last 12 months.

Justin Tomlinson: In relation to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. In relation to PIP, it is important that all of our claimants are able to access our services and that they do not face obstacles in applying and communicating with the Department and its providers. We have a variety of reasonable adjustments to make the claims process and communications easier for some of our most vulnerable customers and we offer a range of services to help claimants who have accessibility needs. In relation to ESA, we offer a number of different ways for customers to make the claims that would negate the need of a customer needing a reasonable adjustment. They can make a claim online, by telephone or on a paper based form. The Alternative Format team can arrange for reasonable adjustments to be applied such as correspondence in braille.

Universal Credit: Work Capability Assessment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of universal credit limited capability for work assessments were successful at the initial assessment in each month in the last 12 months.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department publishes Universal Credit statistics on the total number of households in receipt of limited capability work entitlement – either the limited capability for work element, or the limited capability for work and work related activity element. This information is available via Stat-Xplore and can be found at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/ Guidance on for users can be found at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html Statistics on outcomes of Work Capability Assessments for Universal Credit are intended for publication in the near future as Official Statistics.

Kickstart Scheme

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority on the applicability of the Kickstart scheme to employment in offices of Members of Parliament.

Mims Davies: Engagement with stakeholders has been a vital part of developing the Kickstart Scheme. Throughout the rapid policy development phase, we have engaged with over 300 individual stakeholders and/or stakeholder organisations. This includes employers and business representative organisations, local and regional representatives, devolved administrations, and third sector organisations. Following the launch, we will continue to engage with organisations and reach out to those not yet consulted, such as the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, in order to encourage a wide range of delivery partners to support the scheme and make it a success.

Social Security Benefits: Coronavirus

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure parity between the amount received by claimants of universal credit in relation to the covid-19 outbreak and claimants of (a) employment support allowance (b) Jobseekers Allowance and (c) other benefits.

Ian Blackford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will increase the standard rate of (a) employment support allowance and (b) jobseekers allowance in line with the increases applied to (i) universal credit and (ii) working tax credit to help support claimants who are not entitled to other extra cost benefits.

Zarah Sultana: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to up-rate legacy benefits in line with universal credit.

Will Quince: Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support were increased by 1.7% in April 2020 following the Government’s announcement to end the benefit freeze. It has always been the case that claimants on legacy benefits can make a claim for Universal Credit (UC) if they believe that they will be better off. There are special arrangements for those in receipt of the Severe Disability Premium, who will be able to make a new claim to Universal Credit from January 2021. Claimants should check their eligibility before applying to UC as legacy benefits will end when they submit their claim and they will not be able to return to them in the future. For this reason, prospective claimants are signposted to independent benefits calculators on GOV.UK. Neither DWP nor HMRC can advise individual claimants whether they would be better off moving to UC or remaining on legacy benefits. From 22 July 2020, a two-week run on of Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (IR) and Jobseeker’s Allowance (IB) is available for all claimants whose claim to UC ends entitlement to these benefits, to provide additional support for claimants moving to UC.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Tree Preservation Orders

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has, as part of the England Tree Strategy, to amend guidance on granting Tree Preservation Orders to afford greater priority to the environmental benefits of those Orders.

Rebecca Pow: The England Tree Strategy will aim to maximise environmental benefits that afforestation and management of existing trees can deliver by supporting our commitment to deliver 30,000 hectares of planting a year by 2025.We are currently consulting on the strategy, and this includes inviting views on refining the process of making Tree Preservation Orders and clarifying the criteria to improve consistency in application of the policy across local authorities. The consultation closes on 11 September, with publication of the Strategy to follow early in 2021.

Hen Harriers: Conservation

Liz Twist: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help protect the hen harrier from extinction.

Rebecca Pow: The Government is committed to securing the long-term future of the hen harrier as a breeding bird in England. The Hen Harrier Action Plan sets out what will be done to increase hen harrier populations in England and includes measures to stop illegal persecution. The long-term plan was published in January 2016 and we believe that it remains the best way to safeguard the hen harrier in England. A copy of the plan is available at:www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491818/hen-harrier-action-plan-england-2016.pdf.Natural England has recorded the best year for hen harrier breeding in England since Natural England’s hen harrier recovery project was established in 2002. Illegal persecution of raptors such as the hen harrier is one of the UK's wildlife crime priorities. There are strong penalties in place for offences committed against birds of prey and other wildlife. Those convicted of committing an offence can face an unlimited fine and/or a six-month custodial sentence.

Waste Disposal: Private Sector

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of banning cash transactions for (a) householders and (b) businesses that wish to engage private waste contractors to collect and dispose of waste from (i) a private residence and (ii) a place of business.

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing escrow accounts for payments for legal waste services licensed by the Environment Agency, where that payment can be held until the relevant paperwork has cleared.

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing duty of care requirements for senior executives to make them personally liable for the consequences of mismanagement that leads to (a) fly-tipping and (b) unlicensed handling of waste.

Rebecca Pow: Waste crime damages the environment, is a blight on local communities and the Government is committed to tackling this criminal activity. Whilst we have made no specific assessment of these proposals, the Resource and Waste Strategy published in 2018 sets out an ambitious package of reforms to modernise the way waste is regulated, by clamping down on illegal operators and improving performance across the sector. This included a commitment to develop proposals for the reform of the waste carrier, broker, and dealer regime. We are working with industry and the regulator and we intend to consult early next year. The reform aims to improve competence in waste management and transportation and deter illegitimate operators from entering the sector. This will help to ensure that waste is dealt with appropriately and reduce the incidence of fly-tipping and other waste crimes. The Environment Bill also provides a significant step forward in delivering a number of the commitments set out in the Strategy. The provisions in the Environment Bill will ensure agencies and authorities can work more effectively to combat waste crime through better access to evidence and improved powers of entry.

Food: Waste Disposal

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will increase funding to local authorities to help support the provision of food waste bins.

Rebecca Pow: Following support at consultation, we will introduce a statutory duty for waste collection authorities to arrange for the separate collection of food waste from households, at least once a week. We are legislating for this through the Environment Bill. The Government has committed to covering the costs of any additional burdens that local authorities face as a result of new statutory duties requiring them to collect food waste separately for recycling. This is in keeping with the New Burdens Doctrine which requires new burdens on local authorities to be properly assessed and fully funded, so that there will be no increase in council tax as a result of the policy.

Livestock Industry: Zoonoses

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of potential effect of intensive animal farming on the prevalence of zoonotic diseases.

Victoria Prentis: We know that potential zoonotic pathogens transfer from the environment, wildlife and livestock to humans. Research so far indicates that global changes in land use are disrupting the balance of wild animal communities and the beneficiaries appear to be species that carry diseases known to infect humans. It is estimated that 60% of all human diseases originate in animals. More intensive farming may expedite the spread of the pathogens. The Department's Veterinary Risk Group and the Human Animal Infections Risk and Surveillance Group carry out horizon scanning and risk assessment for emerging threats associated with livestock farming and wildlife, internationally and domestically. The Defra agency Cefas is currently working on a review of risks of zoonotic pathogens arising from aquaculture settings globally. We routinely carry out surveillance on farms for zoonotic pathogens. We have significant surveillance programmes testing for TB, avian influenza, salmonella, AMR and brucelloses. We work closely with the Food Standards Agency on detecting food borne pathogens and with local health protection teams and environmental health officers to control any outbreaks of zoonotic disease associated with livestock farming, consumption of products of animal origin or exposure to livestock.

Pets: Coronavirus

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with animal welfare charities on the effect of lifestyle changes in response to the covid-19 outbreak on trends in the level of unwanted pets.

Victoria Prentis: Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Defra’s animal welfare team has been in regular contact with the sector to understand the impacts and what is needed from government. I am grateful for the work done by animal welfare charities to promote advice for pet owners and look after animals during this difficult time. The Association of Dogs & Cats Homes and the National Equine Welfare Council undertook surveys in May 2020 of their members and wider rescue and rehoming organisations to establish the extent of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector. The surveys were carried out when many restrictions were still in place, many of which have now been lifted. In relation to unwanted pets, findings showed that: 30% of equine organisations reported that more horses were being abandoned compared to 5% reporting less.15% of rescues reported that more cats are being abandoned. Only 15% of rescue organisations reported an increase in dogs being abandoned with 22% reporting fewer dogs being abandoned than normal. 20% of members reported taking in less strays. Only 22% reported that more people wish to hand over their dogs.68% of rescues reported more people wish to foster equines, dogs or cats and 58% wish to rehome an equine, dog or cat. We shall continue to engage with the sector to keep monitoring trends in the level of unwanted pets.

Pets: Imports

Elliot Colburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) adequacy of the regulation and enforcement of pet imports, (b) trends in the level of pet imports during the covid-19 outbreak and (c) effect of the UK leaving the EU on pet imports.

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the (a) adequacy of existing regulation and enforcement of pet imports, (b) changes in the level of pet imports during the covid-19 lockdown and (c) effect of the UK leaving the EU on importation of (i) puppies and (ii) kittens to the UK.

Victoria Prentis: Defra takes the illegal importation of pets seriously. It is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to animals and puts the health of pets and people in the UK at risk. In terms of the regulation and enforcement of non-commercial pet travel movements, we operate one of the most rigorous and robust pet travel checking regimes in the world. All pet animals entering Great Britain on approved routes under the EU Pet Travel Scheme undergo documentary and identity checks, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) works collaboratively with Border Force and other operational partners at ports, airports and inland, sharing intelligence to enforce the Pet Travel Scheme, disrupt illegal imports and seize non-compliant animals. Any animals found to be non-compliant with the Pet Travel Scheme rules may be refused entry or detained until compliant. Regarding changing levels of pet imports (both commercial and non-commercial) during the COVID-19 lockdown, APHA has confirmed that during the initial period of lockdown (March-April 2020), we saw a reduction of pet movements. This increased to relatively routine figures as COVID-19 movement restrictions were eased. On non-commercial pet travel, 14,718 pets were moved into Great Britain in March 2020. Numbers of movements then fell to 1,834 in April 2020 and rose to 4,810 in May 2020. On the commercial imports of cats, dogs and ferrets under the Balai Directive, 2,506 animals were imported into the UK in March 2020, falling to 1,114 in April 2020. Numbers of commercial imports are steadily rising again and now sit at 6,741 for the month of August 2020. The end of the Transition Period may open up new opportunities for managing our own commercial and non-commercial import and pet travel arrangements. The Government will be considering our pet travel and import arrangements (including for puppies and kittens) as part of cracking down on puppy smuggling in line with our manifesto commitment.

Game: Gun Sports

Liz Twist: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to review regulation of driven grouse shooting to help protect (a) hen harriers and (b) other birds of prey.

Rebecca Pow: The Government recognises the conservation and economic benefits that shooting sports bring to rural communities. All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. There are strong penalties in place for offences committed against birds of prey and other wildlife; significant sanctions are available to judges to hand down to those convicted of wildlife crimes. Most wildlife crimes carry up to an unlimited fine and/or a six-month custodial sentence. To address concerns about illegal killing of birds of prey, senior government and enforcement officers have identified raptor persecution as a national wildlife crime priority. Since 2016 Defra has contributed approximately £165,000 annually to the National Wildlife Crime Unit that monitors and gathers intelligence on wildlife crime, including raptor persecution, and aids police forces in their investigations when required. We are committed to securing the long-term future of the hen harrier as a breeding bird in England. The Hen Harrier Action Plan sets out what will be done to increase hen harrier populations in England and includes measures to stop illegal persecution. The long-term plan was published in January 2016 and we believe that it remains the best way to safeguard the hen harrier in England. A copy of the plan is available at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491818/henharrier-action-plan-england-2016.pdf Whilst the Government has no current plans to carry out a review of the management of grouse moors, we recognise that it is vital that wildlife and habitats are respected and protected, and that the law is observed. We will continue to work to ensure a sustainable, mutually beneficial relationship between shooting and conservation.

Microplastics: Health Hazards

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to ensure that (a) micro- and (b) nano-plastics used in products, such as (i) food packaging and (ii) mobile phones, are not harmful to human health.

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an estimate has been made of the amount of (a) micro- and (b) nano-plastics contained in food packaging in the UK.

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on developing a comprehensive cross-border initiatives to reduce the amount of micro- and nano-plastics.

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to ensure manufacturers reduce micro- and nano-plastics in their processes.

Rebecca Pow: The Government’s priority is preventing plastic from entering the environment in the first place, be that the freshwater, marine or terrestrial environment. The Resources and Waste Strategy sets out our plans to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste. This encompasses all types of plastic, including microplastics, and we are already taking action. We have banned plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care products and we will continue to invest in water purification. Defra has not made an estimate of the amount of micro- and nano-plastics in food packaging in the UK. It is difficult to do so, as this amount will vary based on the use and subsequent treatment of the plastic. According to the latest industry data from the Waste and Resources Action Programme, 2.36Mt of plastic packaging was placed on the market in 2017, of which 1.53Mt came from the consumer sector. Legislation on plastics in contact with food or drink requires that they are produced under the provisions for Good Manufacturing Practice, so that any adverse interactions with food are minimised. This legislation is regularly updated to ensure the plastics that are authorised for such use are safe. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been monitoring the scientific literature concerning the occurrence and effects of microplastics in food. On the basis of current evidence, the FSA considers it is unlikely that the presence of microplastic particles that have been reported to occur in certain types of food would cause harm to consumers. The FSA will continue to monitor and assess emerging information concerning microplastics in food, including further consideration of this issue by the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment later this year. We support Operation Clean Sweep, an international initiative coordinated in the UK by the British Plastics Federation which aims to reduce plastic pellet loss in the environment. In 2019, the British Irish Council of Ministers recognised the need to address this source of microplastics and committed to learn from a supply-chain approach in Scotland. Global solutions are needed to address one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, which is why the UK has stepped up to this challenge and is leading the way to end the scourge of plastic pollution that enters our waterways, rivers and, ultimately, our ocean. The UK has committed to the G7 Ocean Plastics Charter, which aims to move towards a more resource-efficient and sustainable approach to the management of plastics. Having left the EU, the UK now has the opportunity to reprioritise and refresh our environmental policy and can now focus on implementing measures which work best for the UK.

Pets: Loneliness

Elliot Colburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cats report entitled Cats as Companions: Can Cats Help Tackle Loneliness, published July 2020,  what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care of the effectiveness of pet ownership on (a) reducing loneliness and (b) reducing cost to the NHS.

Victoria Prentis: I recognise the important role that pets play in providing companionship to owners of all ages in this country. Recent events have highlighted how much we, as a nation of animal lovers, value this companionship, as we experienced restrictions in social contact and saw an increased demand for pets, including cats, both for purchase and rehoming. I agree with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cats that cats can help alleviate loneliness. Defra officials will engage with the Department of Health and Social Care in relation to any actions they wish to take relating to those aspects and recommendations in the report covering mental health issues and associated NHS costs.

Hydrogen: Air Pollution

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of hydrogen technology on improving air quality.

Rebecca Pow: Improving air quality is a top priority for this Government. Our Clean Air Strategy sets out an ambitious programme of action to reduce air pollution from a wide range of sources. Defra’s Air Quality Expert Group considered hydrogen in its recent report Impacts of Net Zero pathways on future air quality in the UK. Furthermore, the Department for Transport published in 2018 the outputs of the Transport Energy Model, which provides a clear assessment for the period to 2050 of the relative environmental impacts, including air quality, of a range of fuel and powertrain options for cars, vans, buses and heavy good vehicles, including hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Metaldehyde

Jeff Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 March 2020 to Question 30111 on Metaldehyde, when the Government plans to make a fresh decision on whether the sale and use of metaldehyde products should continue to be authorised.

Victoria Prentis: Pesticides are subject to strict regulation and can only be sold and used if they are authorised following an assessment of the scientific evidence on risks to people, wildlife and the environment. The Government is required to make a decision on whether the sale and use of metaldehyde products should continue to be authorised. This decision will be taken as soon as possible on the basis of the legal requirements.

Pets: Imports

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of further restricting the importation of pets from overseas to encourage the rehousing of animals in UK pet rescue facilities.

Victoria Prentis: Rescue and rehoming centres in this country carry out important work to ensure that unwanted and abandoned animals in the UK are offered the opportunity of a forever home. We advise people seeking to acquire a new pet to first consider adopting from a reputable UK-based pet rescue and rehoming centre. Defra has been engaging with rescue and rehoming centres to understand their views on, and the possible impacts of, regulating the sector. This follows calls for more transparency for prospective pet owners where there are concerns that pet dealers may masquerade as rehoming centres to circumvent the ban on third-party sales of puppies and kittens. Any proposal to bring forward regulations will be subject to a consultation. The end of the Transition Period opens up new opportunities for managing our own pet travel and pet import arrangements, including ensuring that there are robust controls on disease and animal welfare. It is possible that reductions in import volumes may generate increased demand from domestic sources, including from domestic pet rescue facilities. The Government encourages people to source pets responsibly, and our current Petfished campaign is raising the public’s awareness of the consequences of buying from a low-welfare seller and challenging the assumption that it is easy to spot bad practice. The campaign also signposts to resources available to help people make a good decision.

Environment Protection

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to (a) commission independent annual reviews of the implementation of the 25 Year Environment Plan and (b) make a statement to Parliament when updates to that plan are published.

Rebecca Pow: The 25 Year Environment Plan will be adopted as the first statutory Environment Improvement Plan (EIP) in the Environment Bill. The Bill also establishes a new, independent statutory body – the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) – which will have a statutory duty to monitor and report on the Government’s progress in improving the natural environment in accordance with the EIP. The Bill also makes provision for a cycle of monitoring, planning and reporting on EIPs that comprises annual progress reports by the Government to Parliament, regular scrutiny by the OEP and five-yearly reviews of the EIP. The Government’s annual reports will include an assessment of the steps taken to implement the EIP, as well as an assessment of environmental improvement. The OEP will scrutinise the Government’s annual report and may recommend how progress could be improved, to which the Government must respond. Every five years, the Government must review its EIP and consider whether further measures need to be adopted. If the EIP is revised, the updated EIP must be published, alongside a statement explaining the revisions, and laid before Parliament.

Nature Conservation

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the 2020 25 Year Environment Plan progress update, what steps the Government (a) is taking and (b) plans to take to reach its target to restore 75 per cent of protected wildlife sites to favourable condition by 2042.

Rebecca Pow: There are a range of management mechanisms currently in place aimed at maintaining or restoring protected wildlife sites in or to a favourable condition. These include those delivered through Countryside Stewardship and broader strategic action such as catchment sensitive farming, to improve air and water quality in high priority areas. Natural England is also working to improve the efficiency of SSSI monitoring, which will make better use of new technologies, such as remote sensing and greater partnership involvement. We are exploring the use of powers in the Environment Bill to strengthen our commitment to improving the condition of our protected sites on land and in the sea by setting a target in law, as set out in our recently published policy paper on environmental targets. In addition, we plan to publish a Nature Strategy in 2021, following the agreement of the post-2020 global framework under the Convention of Biological Diversity, which will set out further detail on our action for protected sites.

Dogs: Smuggling

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on the practice of puppy smuggling in the UK.

Victoria Prentis: Defra takes the issue of puppy smuggling and other illegal importation of pets seriously. It is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to puppies and puts the health of pets and people in the UK at risk. We have legislation in place to ensure those guilty of offences are duly punished. Defra is in regular contact with the companion animal welfare sector to discuss matters including dog breeding and sales activity. There has been a high level of demand for pets as more people have been staying at home during the COVID-19 outbreak. We recognise that there are risks of people unknowingly buying puppies which have been bred in poor welfare conditions whether at home or abroad. Defra’s “Petfished” campaign was launched in March 2020 to support the third party sales ban by raising the public’s awareness of the consequences of buying from a low-welfare seller and challenging the assumption that it is easy to spot bad practice. The campaign also signposts to resources available to help them make a good decision. By its very nature, robust data and evidence on the extent of illegal criminal puppy smuggling is not readily available. However, many countries applied restrictions to the movement of individuals in response to COVID-19, and these restrictions may also have impacted on the number of journeys to the UK involving illegal puppy smuggling.

Chemicals: Registration

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is the estimated (a) cost and (b) timescale of the Government’s plan to create a UK equivalent to the European Chemicals Agency’s Reach registration database.

Rebecca Pow: The preparations the Government made for the possibility of a no deal exit mean that we are well placed to be ready with our own independent regulatory regime for 1 January 2021. Our focus is now to build on what we have delivered already, taking the opportunity to develop and refine the systems and processes we are putting in place in preparation for UK REACH coming into force. This includes the Comply with UK REACH IT system for registrations that we have built, which will replicate key functions of the European Chemicals Agency’s REACH registration database to provide continuity for UK business. The Government is increasing resource in the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency and Defra to enable delivery of UK REACH. Once we have staffed up to full operating capability, we expect to spend about £13 million per year on the UK’s new REACH regulatory system. This figure covers the costs of operation and maintenance of the REACH IT system and staff resource in the three organisations, for example to ensure technical specialist input into risk and socio-economic assessment of chemicals for the UK.

European Chemicals Agency

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government will require companies to buy letters of access to use data held by the European Chemicals Agency after the transition period.

Rebecca Pow: After the transition period we will establish our own independent chemical regime. Although both the UK and EU will operate REACH frameworks, the two systems will not be linked in any way. This means that companies wishing to retain access to the UK market will be required to notify and submit registration data to the Health and Safety Executive within given submission deadlines to confirm the registrations and ensure compliance with UK REACH. The data that supports each substance’s registration in EU REACH is not owned by individual companies or the European Chemicals Agency, but by a commercial consortium of companies. Although there will be some UK companies that already own that data, others will need to negotiate access to fulfil the UK requirements. That is why, in our published approach to negotiations, the Government has set out that to enable businesses to meet the separate requirements of the two markets, the UK and EU could, as part of a Chemicals Annex, agree data and information sharing mechanisms. We continue to pursue a negotiated deal on data sharing with the EU which we believe could mitigate the need for industry to provide full data packages and offer benefits to both UK and EU businesses. We believe that our proposal for a Chemicals Annex would be in the interests of UK and EU business. We have also sought to minimise both the cost and burden to businesses through measures such as the grace period provisions relating to ‘Grandfathering’ and ‘Downstream User Import Notifications’ to minimise the disruption to industry. The aim of the transitional provisions we have put in place is to strike a balance which provides for a database to underpin robust, evidence-based regulation while placing achievable duties on business. We said we would keep those provisions under review and have listened to concerns raised by a broad range of stakeholders about the current timelines for supplying data to the UK regulator. Therefore, we have recently announced our intention to extend the existing registration deadlines set in legislation (subject to parliamentary and devolved administration scrutiny). This will allow industry more time to reach agreement with commercial partners to access the registration data that they need and therefore reduce the risks of disruption to supply chains. Information on these new deadlines can be found on the GOV.UK website at: www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-comply-with-reach-chemical-regulations.

Animal Products: Imports

Mr Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 July 2020 to Question 72166 on Animal Products: Imports, what steps he is taking to include lions in the definition of endangered species.

Victoria Prentis: The Government takes the conservation of endangered species seriously and is committed to doing all we can to support wildlife and the environment, both in the UK and internationally. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is internationally recognised for its work in identifying the conservation status of species, known as the “Red List”. The IUCN currently classifies lions as ‘Vulnerable’. For the extinction risk of lions to be increased to ‘Endangered’ the species must meet several additional classification criteria. The Government works with other countries, and through international conventions, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, to further the conservation of vulnerable species such as lions based on the latest available evidence. The Government also supported the establishment of the Big Cats Task Force at the 18th CITES Conference of the Parties last year, which aims to bolster international cooperation against illegal trade in big cat specimens.

Plastics: Recycling

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many recycling plants in the UK accept and process (a) polycarbonate, (b) polyethylene, (c) polyethylene terephthalate and (d) bisphenol A; and where are they located.

Rebecca Pow: Defra does not hold information on the number and location of recycling plants in the UK that process these materials. The Environment Agency maintains a list of accredited recycling plants in England and of these 64 are listed as accepting plastic waste to be sorted or recycled. Regulators in the devolved administrations maintain registers of plants in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For food contact purposes only polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are recycled in the UK. There are currently eight sites in England and one in Scotland that have applied for authorisation to recycle PET for use in food contact. There are a further two sites in England that have applied to recycle HDPE for this purpose. Some plastics reprocessing sites are regulated at local authority level and information is not held centrally on these.

Zoo Animals Fund

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many applications have (a) been made and (b) accepted under the Zoo Animals Fund since its introduction.

Victoria Prentis: Four applications have been received since the Zoo Animals Fund was launched on 3 August, all of which are still under review. We continue to encourage all eligible zoos to apply for the fund.

Cats and Dogs: Meat

Elliot Colburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that (a) dog and (b) cat meat is not being consumed in the UK.

Victoria Prentis: The Government shares the public's high regard for animal welfare, including the welfare of dogs and cats. The UK is a leader when it comes to the protection of animals, and we intend to go even further now that we have left the EU. The Government is appalled by the prospect of dogs and cats being consumed. However, it is already illegal to sell dog and cat meat for human consumption and we have seen no evidence that dog or cat meat is being sold or consumed in this country. The organisation behind the recent campaign to ban the consumption of dog and cat meat in this country acknowledged this point. We are confident that our current position sends a clear message that the slaughter and consumption of dogs and cats will never be acceptable. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office raises concerns about the welfare of animals with other governments at every suitable opportunity, and we are pleased to hear that authorities in China are proposing to ban the consumption of dog and cat meat.

Animal Welfare: Coronavirus

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what additional support is being considered for animal rescue organisations in response to the covid-19 outbreak to ensure those organisations are able to operate and protect the welfare of animals.

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to bring forward legislative proposals to regulate animal rehoming.

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a registration and licensing system for animal sanctuaries and rehoming activities.

Victoria Prentis: The Government greatly appreciates the important work that animal rescue and rehoming organisations do, often on a voluntary basis, to ensure that unwanted and abandoned animals in the UK are offered the opportunity of a forever home.Evidence provided by respondents to the 2019 consultation on commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens reflected concerns about profit-driven activity and variations in standards of animal welfare across this sector. Defra has been engaging with rescue and rehoming organisations to understand their views and the possible impacts of regulating the sector. Any proposal to bring forward regulations, including for the introduction of any registration and licensing system, will be subject to a consultation and will reflect an awareness of the more recent impact that coronavirus has had on the sector.Defra has been kept regularly updated on the sector’s analysis of the developing situation. It has been encouraging to see the sector working collaboratively to safeguard the welfare of animals in their care in the face of real financial hardship and uncertainty. Organisations have been able to apply for the full range of coronavirus support measures that the government made available to businesses and charities: www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support. The Charity Commission has also issued comprehensive guidance on running a charity during this period of economic uncertainty: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-charity-sector. Defra has worked closely with the sector through the Canine and Feline Sector Group and National Equine Welfare Council to agree and update guidance to animal rescue and rehoming organisations to enable them to undertake core operations as far as possible, while maintaining compliance with the social distancing rules and need for hygiene precautions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. The Government remains committed to continued engagement with the sector to understand the longer-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, monitor the animal welfare implications of this and offer appropriate advice.

Pets: Imports

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the extent to which illegal puppy and kitten dealers have established themselves as rescue centres to continue their trade (a) in the UK and (b) overseas since the ban on third-party sales of such animals came into force in the UK.

Victoria Prentis: No official reports of such activity have been brought to Defra’s attention since the introduction of Lucy’s Law, but anecdotal information provided by respondents to the consultation on commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens (held in 2019) reflected concerns about profit-driven activity in the rescue and rehoming sector. Defra has been engaging with the sector directly to understand their views and the possible impacts of regulating the sector to improve transparency and accountability. Any proposal to bring forward regulations in England will be subject to a consultation. Any cases of pet dealers attempting to circumvent the recent ban on third-party sales should be reported to the relevant local authorities, as enforcers of the legislation.

Angling: Devon

Simon Jupp: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency is taking to prevent illegal angling in Devon.

Victoria Prentis: The Environment Agency (EA) is the regulating authority for freshwater angling in England. The EA reports statistics across the operational area of Devon and Cornwall so is unable to specify figures for Devon only. A rod licence is required to go freshwater fishing and the income from licence sales goes back into enhancing fishing, with a proportion dedicated to enforcement. This year up to 31 July the EA sold 16,661 rod licences in the Devon and Cornwall operational area generating £434,222 of revenue. Unfortunately, in Devon and across the country not everyone who goes fishing has a licence. The EA estimates one offence for every 25 anglers checked nationally and in Devon and Cornwall annual evasion rates are estimated at 4%. Covering Devon and Cornwall, the EA has four Fisheries Enforcement Officers in post, with another in recruitment, who are responsible for checking anglers have the correct licence. In the 2019-20 financial year, 702 licences were checked across Devon and Cornwall - of these 24 people were prosecuted, two were cautioned and one formally warned for offences of not having a licence or not complying with the conditions of their licence. The number of prosecutions in Devon and Cornwall has remained at a similar level since 2016. Rod licence checks were temporarily suspended during the coronavirus lockdown period in line with Government advice to help protect EA staff and others. The EA maintained links with partners during this time and has now recommenced rod licence checking and other field-based operations, in line with latest Government guidance and safe ways of working. To deter illegal angling, the EA works with the police and engages with the public to provide advice and guidance and gather intelligence. It also works with local clubs and the Angling Trust to raise awareness and support local projects to improve habitats for fish and promote angling.

Home Office

UK Visas and Immigration: Fees and Charges

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there is a target proportion of free appointments provided at UKVCAS centres.

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to monitor the level of free appointments provided at UKVCAS centres.

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of appointments (a) on offer and (b) booked at UKVCAS centres were free appointments from 29 June to 20 July 2020.

Kevin Foster: Sopra Steria Ltd (SSL) are our commercial partner who run the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) on behalf of UKVI. SSL monitor UKVCAS performance against set key performance indicators (KPIs) within the contract with the Home Office maintaining oversight to ensure Sopra Steria Ltd adhere to contractual requirements.A KPI to measure the number of free appointments in the UKVCAS booking system for core sites was agreed on the 31st March 2020 with the service provider, SSL. The updated Schedule 7 Performance Levels containing the detail of the KPI will be added to contracts finder by the 14th September.Information on the number of free appointments which were offered and booked between 29 June and 20 July is not held centrally and would take a disproportionate amount of time to secure.

Aviation: Quarantine

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many passengers have entered the UK through airports from countries on which the UK has imposed quarantine restrictions since those restrictions were imposed, by country; and how many of those passengers have registered their addresses and contact details for quarantine purposes.

Kevin Foster: Border Force does not hold the data requested in an accessible format.Border Force continues to operate a spot check regime so passengers may be asked to show proof they have completed the form to an officer.We are seeing a high level of compliance and we expect this to continue as everyone plays their part to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

UK Visas and Immigration: Coronavirus

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure people who need to apply to UKVCAS as a result of the covid-19 pandemic are not bearing the financial costs of doing so instead of the commercial partners of UK Visas and Immigration.

Kevin Foster: No customer has had to apply through the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) as a result of Covid-19 who would not have previously been required to do so.

Seasonal Workers: Pilot Schemes

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer on 22 July 2020 to Question 76041, whether her Department collects information on the number of workers in the Seasonal Workers Pilot that have made a request to their pilot operator to change their employer.

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many workers on the seasonal workers pilot have left early.

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many migrants were provided to each UK region under the Seasonal Workers’ Pilot.

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many farms have participated in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers pilot scheme since September 2018.

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether workers on the Seasonal Agricultural Workers pilot scheme are provided with a Written Statement of Employment Particulars guaranteeing them 35 hours or more work per week.

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers pilot scheme, whether the Written Statement of Employment Particulars must be translated by employers into the native language of the worker.

Kevin Foster: With regard to the Honourable Members question about the number of workers in the Seasonal Workers Pilot who have made a request to their pilot operator to change their employer I refer him to the response I gave to his question of 17 July (76041).The UK operates a national immigration system. We do not break down the distribution of pilot workers within UK by geographic region.The Home Office does not hold data on the numbers of individual growers that have participated in the pilot. We also do not hold data on the number of pilot workers who left the UK before the end of their visa in a reportable format. This information is recorded and held by the Scheme OperatorsAll pilot workers are provided with a contract, setting out their terms of employment. This must be provided in their native language. As part of this contract, the scheme operators are required to ensure pilot workers receive at least the national minimum wage for every week of their employment. The mechanism for achieving this, be it guaranteed payment or guaranteed hours of employment, is at the discretion of the scheme operators.

Animal Experiments: Primates

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's document entitled, Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2019, for what reasons there was an increase in the use of first-generation primates in experiments from (a) 2017 to 2018 and (b) 2018 to 2019.

Victoria Atkins: With reference to the report entitled Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2019, published in July 2020, the change in the published figures for the first-generation primates (F1) from 2017 to 2018 and from 2018 to 2019 was is likely to be because of confusion amongst those establishments supplying the data over the definition of a self-sustaining colony. Some establishments reported the number of F1 non-human primates within a self-sustaining colony.

Animal Experiments: Primates

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Government will record the generation of primates within each colony type by sub-category in the UK Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain.

Victoria Atkins: The Home Office can confirm the Government will report the generation of non-human primates within each colony type by sub-category in the reporting of Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in Great Britain from 2020 onwards.

Animal Experiments

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's document entitled, Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2019, how many of the 1,249 animal experiments recorded for higher education and training were for (a) higher education and (b) training.

Victoria Atkins: With reference to the report entitled Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2019, published in July 2020, the reporting of the number of procedures for higher education purposes is not separated from the number of procedures for training purposes.

Domestic Abuse and Stalking: Reoffenders

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of people charged for repeated offences of (a) stalking and (b) domestic abuse in each of the last three years.

Victoria Atkins: Information the Home Office collects on stalking outcomes can be found in the Home Office Open Data Tables, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-recorded-crime-open-data-tablesInformation on domestic abuse-related outcomes is published by the Office for National Statistics and is available here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/domesticabuseinenglandandwalesoverview/november2019From the data the Home Office collects from the police, it is not possible to identify how many people are charged for repeated offences of either stalking or domestic abuse-related offences.

Gangmasters: Licensing

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer on 22 July 2020 to Question 76043, which overseas agencies Concordia deal with as part of the seasonal pilot scheme; and whether those agencies have been licensed for labour provision by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority has had with overseas labour providers on labour licensing activity since 1 September 2018.

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many inspections the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority has undertaken on farms employing workers under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers pilot scheme since September 2018.

Victoria Atkins: The responsibility for inspecting locations under the Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme (SAWS) sits with UK Visas and Immigration. The Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) accompany UK Visas and Immigration on their inspections to provide them with information, advice and guidance.Concordia have engaged with 15 suppliers as part of the SAWS, all of whom are licenced by the GLAA. The GLAA’s public register lists the labour providers who are licensed including licence holders based outside the UK. Further information about the register can be found at: https://www.gla.gov.uk/our-impact/who-has-a-glaa-licence/The GLAA also works with overseas labour providers to ensure licences are granted to those supplying workers to the UK, as required by section 5 of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004, which sets out the territorial scope and application of the Act.

Offences against Children: Philippines

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre in protecting vulnerable children and apprehending offenders; and what representations she has received on her Department’s ongoing support for that centre.

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of conducting an inquiry into the potential reported increase in cases of online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines during the covid-19 pandemic.

Victoria Atkins: The Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC) is a model for an enhanced global response against online sexual exploitation of children, and an example of cooperation among local and international law enforcement partners including the National Crime Agency. The Centre has provided international law enforcement agencies with the information needed to build cases against both local traffickers and foreign perpetrators.Since its formation in February 2019 the PICACC ran 61 operations; rescued 202 victims and children-at-risk of sexual abuse and exploitation; arrested 55 suspected CSAE local traffickers; and convicted 4 traffickersThe PICACC has enabled member agencies to better understand the legal framework from numerous jurisdictions all around the world, allowing them to strengthen their ability to combat both the demand and supply side of child sexual abuse and exploitation.Protecting those at risk from abuse and exploitation is a priority for this Government, and the Government continues to develop our understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on child sexual abuse, gathering input from law enforcement, safeguarding leads, charities, international partners and other colleagues. We are acutely aware that for some children and young people, the Coronavirus pandemic may have brought with it additional risks and dangers, as well as reducing contact with professionals and trusted adults. This Government is committed to doing everything we can to support and protect those at risk of harm both at home and abroad.

Animal Experiments

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of her Department's progress on the UK's commitment to  the replacement, reduction, and refinement of the use of animals in research; and if she will make a statement.

Victoria Atkins: Procedures on animals are only authorised after an assessment process, which is undertaken by the Home Office Inspectorate. All project licence applicants are required to describe and justify why available non-animal alternative methodologies could not be used to achieve their scientific objectives.In 2018 ASRU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs) to support the uptake of 3Rs approaches. The NC3Rs leads the discovery and application of new technologies and approaches to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in scientific procedures. ASRU supports the NC3Rs drive to accelerate the development and use of models and tools, based on the latest science and technologies, to address important scientific questions without the use of animals.

Animal Experiments

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons no pyrogenicity tests on animals were reported in the Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2019.

Victoria Atkins: With reference to the report entitled Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2019, published in July 2020, there were no pyrogenicity tests carried out on animals in Great Britain in 2019. In most cases, pyrogenicity tests can be carried out using a combination of non-animal alternatives.

Animal Experiments

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's document entitled, Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2019, what regulatory procedures were carried out on animals to satisfy the requirements of non-EU legislation in 2018-2019; and what (a) legislation and (b) jurisdictions those procedures were conducted to satisfy.

Victoria Atkins: With reference to the report entitled Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2019, published in July 2020, the return of statistics on procedures requires details of the legislative requirement the procedures are to satisfy. The legislation requirements include: medicinal products for human use; industrial chemicals; plant protection; medical products for veterinary use and their residues. Information on the legislative jurisdictions for which the procedures are conducted to satisfy is not collected.

Animal Experiments: Dogs

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what dog species are included in the other dog species category used in her Department's document entitled, Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2019; and for what specific purposes experiments on those dogs were carried out.

Victoria Atkins: With reference to the report entitled Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2019, published in July 2020, the dog species included in the other dog species category are:Client owned (where the exact breed is not specified);Norfolk Terrier;Labrador Retriever; and,Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen. The studies in which they were used were nutrition studies and clinical veterinary studies.

Cybercrime

Virginia Crosbie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that policing strategy is up to date and effective at tackling crime that takes place digitally.

Kit Malthouse: Tackling digital crime is a cross government agenda in which the Home Office and its agencies has a key role to play.The National Digital Policing Strategy 2020-2030: Digital, Data and Technology Strategy was partly developed in response to the pace of digital change and was launched at the Police ICT Summit 2020. The strategy was developed by the Police ICT Company and the National Police Technology Council in collaboration with the Home Office.Under this strategy, the Home Office is committed to ensuring new capabilities are available to the police to tackle crime in an evolving digital landscape, to cooperate more efficiently and to support their contributions to the effectiveness and efficiency of the CJS. We are clear that technology will make it easier for the public to report a crime and enable the police to make better use of digital evidence as part of their investigations.The Strategic Change and Investment Board (SCIB), is chaired by the Policing Minister and forms part of the sub-governance of the National Policing Board (NPB). The SCIB oversees investment across the policing system to meet Government priorities. This includes investment in digital technology to drive convergence of police forces towards delivery of the policing digital strategy.

Fines: Racial Discrimination

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle racial bias in the issuance of covid-19 related fines.

Kit Malthouse: Our dedicated police officers have gone above and beyond during this pandemic – keeping the public safe through engaging, explaining, encouraging, and enforcing only as a last resort.While it is a complex picture, it is a concern to see disparity between white and black, Asian or ethnic minority people. Each force will be looking at this carefully to assess and mitigate any risks of bias – conscious or unconscious – and to minimise disproportionate impact wherever possible. Many forces have brought in community representatives to help them scrutinise the circumstances around each Fixed Penalty Notice and if it has been issued fairly.We are clear that no one should be subject to police enforcement on the basis of race alone and we work closely with forces and the NPCC to address disproportionality in policing.

Windrush Generation: Compensation

Carol Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason refused passport application fees are not covered under the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Carol Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason fees for applications for Limited Leave to Remain are not covered under the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Carol Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason Immigration Health Surcharge fees are not covered under the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Carol Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons fees for successful but unnecessary applications to her Department are not covered under the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Priti Patel: The Windrush Compensation Scheme (WCS) compensates individuals for fees associated with immigration applications that would have confirmed the lawful status they held at the time (British Citizenship, Right of Abode, Indefinite Leave to Remain/Enter), but were unsuccessful because they were unable to provide sufficient evidence of that lawful status. Fees for immigration applications that were successful will not be awarded under the scheme because they gave individuals documentary evidence of their status.The WCS will further compensate individuals if, following these unsuccessful immigration applications, in a reasonable attempt to resolve their immigration status they made additional, different, immigration applications (e.g. limited leave to remain) that also did not resolve their lawful status. Where it is decided to make a payment for these immigration application fees, any associated health charge paid under section 38 of the Immigration Act 2014 will also be made.The WCS will not made any awards for fees associated with unsuccessful passport applications. This is in line with the scope of the Commonwealth Citizens Taskforce, because all individuals are required to pay for passport applications.

Common Travel Area

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what mechanisms are in place to tackle potential breaches of rights under the Common Travel Area.

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Command Paper 258 entitled UK points-based immigration system: further details, whether passport checks will take place on on (a) air and (b) sea travel between (i) Northern Ireland to Great Britain and (ii) Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the July 2020 Command Paper entitled UK Points Based System Further Details, CP 258, whether she plans to include in a universal permission to travel requirement (a) EU nationals without settled status and (b) other non-visa nationals wishing to travel from the Republic of Ireland to (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) Great Britain.

Stephen Farry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the July 2020 Command Paper entitled UK Points Based System Further Details, CP 258, what assessment she has made of the implications for her proposals on no routine immigration controls on journeys from within the Common Travel area to the UK and no immigration controls on the Northern Ireland - Ireland land border of her policy on a universal permission to travel requiring everyone wishing to travel to the UK excluding British and Irish nationals to seek permission in advance of travel via a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation.

Kevin Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what mechanisms are in place to tackle potential breaches of rights under the Common Travel AreaTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Command Paper 258 entitled UK points-based immigration system: further details, whether passport checks will take place on on (a) air and (b) sea travel between (i) Northern Ireland to Great Britain and (ii) Great Britain to Northern Ireland.To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the July 2020 Command Paper entitled UK Points Based System Further Details, CP 258, whether she plans to include in a universal permission to travel requirement (a) EU nationals without settled status and (b) other non-visa nationals wishing to travel from the Republic of Ireland to (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) Great BritainTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the July 2020 Command Paper entitled UK Points Based System Further Details, CP 258, what assessment she has made of the implications for her proposals on no routine immigration controls on journeys from within the Common Travel area to the UK and no immigration controls on the Northern Ireland - Ireland land border of her policy on a universal permission to travel requiring everyone wishing to travel to the UK excluding British and Irish nationals to seek permission in advance of travel via a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation.

Immigration: EU Nationals

John Lamont: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people from the Scottish Borders have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Kevin Foster: Up until 30 June 2020 a total of 2,560 applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) had been received from applicants in the Scottish Borders local authority area.Published information on EUSS applications by region and local authority to 30 June 2020, can be found in the Home Office’s ‘EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics’, local authority statistics tables, table EUSS_LA_01 (by the applicants nationality) and EUSS_LA_02 (by the applicants age), available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-scheme-quarterly-statistics-june-2020.The latest published information shows 3.81 million (3,805,200) EUSS applications had been received up to 31 July 2020. The latest figures can be found on the Home Office’s ‘EU Settlement Scheme statistics’ web page available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics

Visas: Health Professions

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to extend the health and care visa to include roles in disability charities and hospices that are not direct NHS sub-contractors.

Kevin Foster: The eligibility criteria for the Health and Care Visa are set out in the published Tier 2 policy guidance. This guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/points-based-system-tier-2.A number of health occupations, for example nurses, are eligible for the visa by virtue of being registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. This means they will be eligible to apply, even if the organisation is not a direct NHS sub-contractor.

Visas: Health Professions

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to extend the health and care visa to include all jobs requiring a HCPC registered physiotherapist.

Kevin Foster: The published Tier 2 policy guidance sets out who is eligible for the Health and Care Visa. This includes any person in an eligible occupation, who is employed or engaged by or registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.The Tier 2 policy guidance can be found at: : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-2-worker

Biometric Residence Permits: Migrant Workers

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the immigration status is of migrant healthcare workers who are currently without Biometric Residence Permits.

Kevin Foster: All migrants granted leave receive written notification of their immigration status and are issued with a biometric residence permit (BRP) as evidence of their immigration status. Migrants who are waiting for a decision on their in-time immigration application are entitled to remain in the country on their current conditions until their application is resolved.

Police: Finance

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what additional (a) funding and (b) resources have been allocated to (i) the Metropolitan Police, (ii) each other police force and (iii) British Transport Police to enable them to enforce the wearing of face masks in (A) enclosed public spaces and (B) on public transport.

Kit Malthouse: The 2020/21 police funding settlement set out the biggest increase in funding for policing since 2010 with the Metropolitan Police receiving an increase of up to £193m.Ministers have been clear that the Police will get the financial support they need to see them through the COVID-19 pandemic. The department took immediate steps to increase the availability of funding for forces to meet cashflow pressures caused by the coronavirus.We continue to work closely with the policing sector to build evidence of the additional pressures they are incurring from COVID-19 in order to inform cross-Government discussions on their future funding needs.British Transport Police is not a Home Office funded police force.

Driving: Training

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to introduce information on cyclists in speed awareness courses.

Kit Malthouse: National Speed Awareness courses are offered under the police controlled and operated National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS). The content and running of these courses are, therefore, a matter for chief officers of police and the course providers.

Compulsorily Detained Psychiatric Patients: Children

Sir Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children were detained in police cells under the Mental Health Act 1983 (a) since 1 January 2020 and (b) in each of the last five years.

Kit Malthouse: This information is already publicly available.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales-year-ending-31-march-2019

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Social Rented Housing

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to (a) enable the use of derelict buildings for housing developments and (b) reduce waiting times for people applying for social housing allocations.

Christopher Pincher: Brownfield Housing FundThe Prime Minister recently announced that seven Mayoral Combined Authorities, including the West Midlands Combined Authority, are each receiving a share of the £400 million Brownfield Housing Fund. The fund will bring under-utilised brownfield land back into use, including derelict buildings and vacant land, to help unlock 26,000 homes, contributing to the levelling-up of our country.Social HousingThe Localism Act 2011 gave local councils power to manage their own waiting lists, so they can decide who should qualify for social housing in their area and develop solutions which make best use of the social housing stock. Since 2012, the social housing waiting list in England has reduced by 37 per cent.The Government is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing and has made £9 billion available through the Affordable Homes Programme to March 2022 to deliver approximately 250,000 new affordable homes. The existing Affordable Homes Programme?will be extended by one year. This will save homes that would otherwise have been lost following site closures due to Covid-19.We have announced the details of a £12 billion investment in affordable housing to March 2026. This includes the new Affordable Homes Programme of £11.5 billion to deliver up to 180,000 homes should economic conditions allow. In total, this five-year programme represents the highest single funding commitment to affordable housing in a decade. Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jenrick-unveils-huge-12-billion-boost-for-affordable-homes

Housing: Greater Manchester

Christian Wakeford: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that local authorities provide up to date local housing figures in Greater Manchester.

Christopher Pincher: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government produce statistics in accordance with the statutory and other arrangements described in the guide to national and official statistics:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/how-national-and-official-statistics-are-assured.Each year local authorities are supplied with comprehensive guidance to ensure that there is a common understanding of what information is to be supplied.In recognition of the pressures and resource challenges faced by local authorities during the coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19), and in order to focus our joint efforts on priority analysis and statistics, we have published a statement detailing the steps we are taking to produce our local housing statistics, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-housing-communities-and-local-government/about/statistics.

Green Belt: Greater Manchester

Christian Wakeford: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to ensure the greenbelt in (a) Bury South constituency and (b) Greater Manchester is protected from development.

Christopher Pincher: Planning for the future proposes significant changes to the focus and processes of planning – to secure better outcomes in terms of land for homes, beauty and environmental quality. One key proposal is that local plans place all land into one of three categories: areas for Growth, Renewal or Protection. The Government has made clear that we expect local authorities to categorise Green Belt as an area for Protection. The protections for the Green Belt set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, and the strong encouragement to prioritise re-use of suitable brownfield land, will remain in place, in line with our manifesto commitments.We also propose to transform how communities engage with plan-making, using new digital tools to make it easier for many more people to understand, engage with and influence development policies and proposals.After carefully considering all the responses to Planning for the future, the Government will publish its conclusions.

Local Plans: Climate Change

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposals in the Planning for the future consultation, published 6 August 2020, on the response to climate change at a local level.

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposals in the Planning for the future consultation, published 6 August 2020, on the ability of local authorities to mitigate flood risk.

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposals in the Planning for the future consultation, published 6 August 2020, on flood risk in areas in close proximity to the River Birket.

Christopher Pincher: The Planning for the Future White Paper includes proposals to ensure that new homes meet our climate change and environmental objectives, including by ensuring homes delivered under our new planning system do not require future retrofitting. It also proposes to strengthen environmental outcomes: the National Planning Policy Framework will be revised to ensure policies support climate change mitigation and adaptation (including tackling flood risk), as well as creating places which are better-designed and more beautiful. When determining housing need, it is proposed that this will factor in land constraints, taking into account the practical limitations, including flood zones, that some areas might face in planning for the homes they need.   The Government is encouraging feedback from individuals and organisations as part of its assessment of the proposed measures. Throughout the consultation, my department will be engaging with MPs, local politicians, planners, developers, the voluntary sector and communities. The Secretary of State will update the House in due course once the consultation is concluded and proposals are prepared Government has laid the revised National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England before Parliament on 14 July 2020. This sets out how homes and businesses across the country will be better protected and more resilient in future as part of our plans to tackle the risks of flooding and coastal erosion. We are currently reviewing our policy for building in areas at flood risk; this will seek to ensure that future development will be safe from floods. We will assess whether current protections in national planning policy are enough and consider options for further reform. In terms of local impacts, local authorities need to undertake sustainability appraisal when preparing development plans to understand how their development proposals will help to achieve relevant environmental, economic and social objectives.

Green Belt: Wirral

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposals in the Planning for the future consultation, published 6 August 2020, on the protection of the green belt in Wirral.

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposals in the Planning for the future consultation, published 6 August 2020, on the ability of local residents to have their say on whether housing is built on (a) Wirral’s green belt and (b) Wirral's green spaces that sit outside the green belt.

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposals in the Planning for the future consultation, published 6 August 2020 on the (a) maintenance of green spaces in Wirral and (b) conservation of biodiversity in Wirral.

Christopher Pincher: Planning for the Future proposes significant changes to the focus and processes of planning – to secure better outcomes in terms of land for homes, beauty and environmental quality. One key proposal is that local plans place all land into one of three categories: areas for Growth, Renewal or Protection. The consultation proposal is clear that valued green space and Green Belt would be included in areas for Protection.The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that planning policies and decisions should not only protect and enhance the natural environment, but should secure net gains for biodiversity, including wildlife habitat and ecological networks. The reforms we are proposing are designed to support the continuing implementation of this policy by local authorities, in line with our 25 Year Environment Plan and provisions in the Environment Bill.We also propose to transform how communities engage with plan-making, using new digital tools to make it easier for many more people to understand, engage with and influence development policies and proposals.After carefully considering all the responses to Planning for the Future, the Government will publish its conclusions.

Local Plans: Rossendale

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 137 of the National Planning Policy Framework, if he will provide guidance to Rossendale Borough Council on ensuring that all other sources of Housing and Employment Land supply have been exhausted before resorting to the release of land from the Green Belt in that organisation's Local Plan.

Christopher Pincher: It is for the local authority to consider, and consult locally on, development plan policies that establish where the boundary of its Green Belt, or any development boundary of a settlement, should run. The Secretary of State appoints independent planning inspectors to assess the soundness of any revised plan submitted.The Government revised the National Planning Policy Framework in 2018, clarifying the exceptional circumstances test for local authorities who are proposing altering the Green Belt boundary through the local plan process. Local authorities need to demonstrate that all other reasonable options for meeting identified development needs have been examined, including those criteria given in paragraph 137, and will need to consider all available evidence and local circumstances in making this assessment.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of applications to the Aluminium Composite Material remediation fund from local authorities have been successful.

Christopher Pincher: The latest information on the Social Sector ACM Cladding Remediation Fund is available in the Building Safety Programme’s monthly data release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-safety-programme-monthly-data-release-july-2020.

Mortgages

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July to Question 70953 on Mortgages, on what date he plans to hold a further roundtable with mortgage lenders; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Pincher: Further to the Ministerial roundtable, Department officials have been holding roundtables with lenders over the parliamentary recess period. A further roundtable with the Minister for Building Safety will be scheduled shortly to review progress.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of sales of flats in buildings (a) under or (b) over 18 metres that have not been completed as a result of the building not having an EWS1 certificate; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Pincher: The EWS1 form is not a Government regulatory or legal requirement. The Minister for Building Safety is aware that lender requests for EWS1 forms are taking time to obtain and that many lenders are requesting the form be completed for buildings under 18 metres. Where building owners are able to demonstrate their buildings are safe using other equivalent evidence, we would encourage lenders to accept that for valuation purposes.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the average (a) weekly and (b) monthly cost to leaseholders in buildings in Harrow West with unsafe cladding systems of (i) temporary safety measures, (ii) legal fees, (iii) insurance premiums and (iv) other ancillary fees related to fire safety.

Christopher Pincher: The Department does not hold specific data on service charges or other ancillary costs to leaseholders related to fire safety in buildings with unsafe cladding systems. Lord Greenhalgh, Minister of State for Building Safety, is investigating what can be done to reduce the cost of waking watch for buildings that currently have them in place. This includes ensuring that waking watch costs are transparent so that leaseholders and others who commission these services can ensure that costs are reasonable.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect of the covid-19  outbreak on remediation works to remove Aluminium Composite Material from (a) public and (b) social buildings.

Christopher Pincher: The impact of Covid-19 on ACM remediation has been published in the Building Safety Programme’s monthly data release since the April 2020 data release (published 14 May 2020). The latest information is available in the July data release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-safety-programme-monthly-data-release-july-2020.

Buildings: Insulation

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of buildings guidance issued by the Independent Expert Advisory Panel on the sale of leasehold properties in buildings (a) under and (b) over 18 meters in height.

Christopher Pincher: The Minister for Building Safety is aware that lenders are taking a cautious approach to lending on leasehold properties of all heights, where there may be unsafe external wall systems and where the building owner is unable to evidence the safety of the building.

Buildings: Insulation

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2020 to Question 74630, what progress his Department has made on property valuation arrangements and the use of EWS1 forms for buildings under 18 metres since the June lender roundtable.

Christopher Pincher: Further to the Ministerial roundtable, Department officials have been meeting with lenders over the parliamentary recess period. Some lenders have said they would be open to other evidence on value-affecting building safety matters. Where building owners are able to offer such equivalent evidence, we would encourage lenders to accept that for valuation purposes. A further roundtable with the Minister for Building Safety is being scheduled.

Religious Buildings: Sanitation

Holly Lynch: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the March 2020 Budget, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including places of worship as a sector in the Changing Places Fund to build accessible toilet facilities in existing buildings.

Christopher Pincher: The Government is determined to see greater provision of Changing Places toilet facilities in new and existing buildings. We will work with the Changing Places Consortium and others to identify those sectors where we most need to accelerate the provision of such facilities and will set out the criteria for funding in due course.

Affordable Housing

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of housing affordability in (a) Cambridge city, (b) Cambridgeshire, (c) Bedfordshire, (d) Milton Keynes, (d) Oxfordshire and (e) Oxford.

Christopher Pincher: The Government planning framework guidance sets out that local planning authorities should objectively assess and evidence their full housing needs, working with neighbouring authorities where housing market areas cross administrative boundaries. The assessment should address the need for all types of housing, including affordable housing, and identify the scale and mix of housing, and the range of tenures that the local population is likely to need over the plan period. It is for the local authorities and housing associations as registered providers (landlords) to decide what types of housing stock they want to deliver. In order to plan properly, local authorities need to properly understand how many homes they need to build in their area. It is for local areas to make evidence-based decisions on the total number and type of homes needed in their area as part of their plan-making process

Buildings: Insulation

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued to mortgage lenders in relation to  the scope of recent buildings safety advice provided by the Independent Expert Advisory Panel.

Christopher Pincher: My department has not issued specialist advice to lenders on this topic. The ‘Advice for Building Owners of Multi-storey, multi occupancy residential buildings’, published on 20th January 2020 is advice for Building Owners. It is not advice, or guidance, to the financial services industry.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to review the budget allocated to the Aluminium Composite Material Remediation fund.

Christopher Pincher: The £600 million funding which the Government has allocated for the remediation of buildings with unsafe ACM cladding is expected to be sufficient to meet demand. Government funding is not the only means of remediating high-rise residential buildings with unsafe ACM cladding. Building owners are expected to play a part in ensuring that their buildings are made safe.In more than half of the cases where there is ACM cladding on private sector residential blocks, the original developer or current building owner has agreed to pay or there has been a warranty in place to cover the remediation costs, without passing these on to leaseholders. Whether provided by Government or other sources, availability of funding to protect leaseholders from these costs should not be a barrier for ACM remediation to take place.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average timeframe is for processing an application to the Aluminium Composite Material remediation fund.

Christopher Pincher: Information related to progress of applications to the Private Sector Remediation Fund is reported in the Building Safety Programme’s monthly data release. It was first reported in the October 2019 data release (published 14 November 2019). The latest information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-safety-programme-monthly-data-release-july-2020

Temporary Accommodation: Domestic Abuse

Jane Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential need to update his Department’s guidance for domestic abuse safe accommodation provision, published in March 2020.

Luke Hall: Government recognised the importance of issuing early guidance to domestic abuse safe accommodation providers to support service delivery during the pandemic. We will be working with Public Health England to review this.

Coronavirus: York

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effect of the planned local government reorganisation on York's ability to recover from the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke: In response to the challenges faced across the country as a result of the pandemic and the need to level up opportunity, prosperity, and wellbeing, we are considering a range of options and will set out our transformative plans in the Local Recovery and Devolution White Paper that will be published this Autumn.

Non-domestic Rates: Coronavirus

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Expanded Retail Discount 2020-21 applies to those businesses whose activities are split evenly between retail and other activities.

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has set out a proportion of a business’s activity that must be retail for it to qualify for the Expanded Retail Discount 2020-21.

Mr Simon Clarke: My Department published guidance on the expanded retail discount on 25 March 2020. The guidance states that eligible properties are those wholly or mainly used as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues; those used by visiting members of the public for assembly and leisure; or hotels, guest & boarding premises and self-catering accommodation. It is for local authorities to decide, having regard to the guidance, whether properties fall within these categories.

Village Halls: Coronavirus

James Wild: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will change his Department's guidance to allow parish councils that have a precept to claim discretionary covid-19 grants for village halls.

Mr Simon Clarke: On 7 August the Government published a clarification regarding the eligibility of town and parish councils for all three Covid-19 business support grant schemes. The conditions that town and parish councils must meet in order to qualify for each have been set out in the guidance for each of these schemes, which can be found on the Government website.The precepting authority exclusion does not apply to the Small Business Grants Fund or the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund. Therefore town and parish councils would be eligible for the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund if they meet all of the scheme criteria.However properties that are eligible for the Small Business Grants Fund should be awarded a grant through this scheme and would then be ineligible for a Local Authority Discretionary Grant. Local authorities will therefore need to ensure that the correct form of grant funding is provided. Local authorities should also note that town and parish councils are not eligible for the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund due to the precepting authority exclusion.

Children: Day Care

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support and guidance is available for childcare providers that use multi-purpose community spaces to help them safely re-open from September 2020 as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Mr Simon Clarke: The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government published the Covid-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities with the purpose of helping managers and users of community centres and village halls navigate and find government produced advice that maybe relevant to their individual circumstances.As signposted to within the Covid-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities, when state schools in local areas reopen for all pupils in the autumn term 2020, wraparound providers, to include those based in a multi-purpose setting, should implement the Department for Education’s ‘protective measures guidance’ for providers of before or after school clubs, and other out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. The guidance has been updated to include specific content on what measures providers should put in place to reduce the risk of infection and transmission of the coronavirus virus between children, staff and parents who attend their settings.

Public Lavatories: Non-domestic Rates

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much is paid in business rates on stand-alone public lavatories by (a) each (i) county, (ii) district and (iii) parish and town council and (b) the local councils collectively in each Parliamentary constituency.

Mr Simon Clarke: Data on business rates paid by type of property is not held centrally.

Tax Collection: Local Government

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of collection levels for (a) council tax and (b) business rates by local authorities for the financial year 2020-21.

Mr Simon Clarke: Information about the receipts of council tax and business rates in England in the first quarter of 2020/21 has been published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-local-government-finance#receipts-of-council-taxes-and-national-non-domestic-rates.The Government continues to work closely with local government to monitor the collection of business rates and council tax as part of its assessment of the impact of Covid-19 on local authority finances. This additional monitoring data is published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-covid-19-financial-impact-monitoring-information.

Social Media: Antisemitism

Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to tackle anti-Semitic hate online.

Mr Simon Clarke: Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society, which is why we’re taking a strong lead in tackling it in all its forms. In the refreshed Hate Crime Action Plan, we have reaffirmed our commitment to combating all forms of hatred and our total support for Jewish communities.We have recognised that incidents of online hate crime are becoming more prevalent and we have committed to take action to reduce this in the Hate Crime Action Plan. In September the Communities Secretary confirmed £100,000 of funding for the Antisemitism Policy Trust to support the organisation’s ongoing work to tackle the spread of racist tropes online.We have recently published a White Paper on Online Harms, which contains a range of legislative and non-legislative measures, setting out definitive plans to tackle a wide range of harms online, and opens a consultation on options for regulation.The Online Harms White Paper sets out the government's plans for world leading legislation to make the UK the safest place to be online. We intend to establish in law a new duty of care on companies towards their users which will be overseen by an independent regulator. This regulator will set clear safety standards, backed up by mandatory reporting requirements and strong enforcement powers to deal with non-compliance.We are also ensuring that the criminal law is fit for purpose to deal with online harms. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Ministry of Justice have engaged the Law Commission on a second phase of their review of abusive and offensive online communications. The Law Commission will review existing communications offences and make specific recommendations about options for reform, to ensure that criminal law provides consistent and effective protection against such behaviours.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Government has invested in middle income countries through the Prosperity Fund in each of the last five years.

Penny Mordaunt: The Prosperity Fund annual reports, produced since the Fund’s inception in 2016, provide an approximation of the ODA spend in each partner country across the lifetime of the Fund. The 2019/20 Annual Report will be published in due course.The reports are available online:2016/17 Annual Report2017/18 Annual Report2018/2019 Annual Report The 2019/20 Annual Report will be published in due course.

Ports: Finance

Cat Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to set out how the £705 million of funding for ports will be allocated by (a) region and (b) port.

Cat Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the statement on page 133 of the Border Operating Model, published 13 July 2020, that there could be significant queues and delays on the roads approaching ports in the UK if a high volume of HGVs do not have the correct documentation, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) scale and (b) economic effect of those queues or delays.

Cat Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the statement on page 133 of the Border Operating Model, published 13 July 2020, that there could be significant queues and delays on the roads approaching ports in the UK if a high volume of HGVs do not have the correct documentation, if he will publish any research undertaken on the potential scale of those queues and delays.

Cat Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the statement on page 133 of the Border Operating Model, published 13 July 2020, that there could be significant queues and delays on the roads approaching ports in the UK if a high volume of HGVs do not have the correct documentation, what recent assessment he has made of the risk of significant delays at Dover in (a) January 2021 and (b) July 2021.

Cat Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Operation Brock traffic management plans for the end of the Transition Period on page 134 of the Border Operating Model, published 13 July 2020, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the operation on traffic in the surrounding areas.

Penny Mordaunt: On 13 July, the Government published the Border Operating Model, which details the approach to UK border controls after the end of the Transition Period. As my Rt Hon Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster set out in his statement of 13 July, the Government will provide a breakdown of spend on ports by region and by port in due course. Further to the answer given on 1 September (UIN78765), the Government continues to review proportionate contingency plans for potential disruption and works with the Kent Resilience Forum to revise traffic management contingency plans, to deal with the potential congestion. Future announcements will be made in the usual way.

Nuclear Weapons: Testing

Ian Blackford: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Advisory Military Sub Committee plans to review all cases relating to nuclear test veterans.

Chloe Smith: Further to the answer given on 9 March 2020, campaigners can be assured their case is under review and recommendations will be made as soon as possible.

Devolution: Wales

Nia Griffith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will list the occasions on which the Devolution and You Steering Board has met during 2020.

Chloe Smith: In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the maximum length of contract is which can meet the criteria of the Cabinet Office procurement policy note 01/20: Responding to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement.

Julia Lopez: There is no maximum length of contract as set out in reg 32(2)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015. However, Procurement Policy Note 01/20 (Responding to COVID-19), advises that contracting authorities should limit their requirements to only what is absolutely necessary both in terms of what they are procuring and the length of contract.

House of Lords: Members' Interests

Alyn Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to improve oversight and transparency of the financial and business interests of Members of the House of Lords.

Chloe Smith: As has always been the case, this is a matter for the House itself and the Code of Conduct for the House of Lords sets out that there is a duty on peers to declare their interests.

Raw Materials: Imports

Paula Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that raw materials imported into the UK and used for vital nutritional products will not be subject to tariffs at the end of the transition period.

Penny Mordaunt: The Government has been clear we want a free trade deal, based on friendly cooperation.The Political Declaration sets as an aim a zero tariff and zero quota FTA. We would like to achieve that. Reducing the costs and processes associated with trade is in the interests of people and businesses across the UK and the EU.

Northern Ireland Office

Customs: Northern Ireland

Jonathan Gullis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with businesses on the Northern Ireland protocol.

Mr Robin Walker: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I meet regularly with individual businesses and business representative organisations as negotiations and preparations for the end of the Transition Period continue. This includes via meetings of the Business Engagement Forum, which has now met thirteen times since its formation in June. Ministers and officials in the Northern Ireland Office and across Government also continue to speak with Northern Ireland businesses and business representative organisations outside of these formal discussions.

Northern Ireland Office: Personnel Management

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many full-time equivalent staff were employed in his Department's human resources section in April 2020.

Mr Robin Walker: The number of full-time equivalent staff employed in the Northern Ireland Office human resources section in April 2020 was 4.57 FTE.

Department for International Trade

Minerals: Industry

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether critical mineral supply chains are being discussed in Project Defend.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: HM Government continually monitors and assesses the supply of critical minerals.

Arms Trade

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what criteria she uses to delegate responsibility for approving arms export licences to (a) junior ministers and (b) officials in her Department.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: Delegation is at the discretion of my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade.

Riot Control Weapons: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the decision to resume the licensing of exports of riot control equipment to the US in June 2020 was primarily based on the conclusion of her Department’s re-assessment of those exports that the entities which had potentially used them during the recent protests in the US had not been responsible for acts of internal repression, as defined in the Consolidated Criteria for Arms Export Licensing and related texts.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: The decision to resume was based on the recommendation that there is no clear risk under Criterion 2a of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria that the items might be used for internal repression. It is important not to lose sight of the fact that the US remains a beacon for freedom, opportunity and democracy. The US maintains the rule of law and has robust institutions. Further, there is democratic oversight, accountability and extensive public scrutiny, including by an active civil society and free press. Every democracy faces challenges; the key is how they are dealt with.

Trade Agreements

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what is the (a) purpose is and (b) latest estimated cost of establishing a new dedicated Trade Negotiation Facility.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish her Department’s business case for the establishment of a dedicated Trade Negotiation Facility.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department plans to revise its business case for the establishment of a dedicated Trade Negotiation Facility in light of HM Treasury’s revised Green Book guidance.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether his Department has made a decision on the location of the proposed Trade Negotiation Facility.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what two sites in London her Department identified in 2019-20 as potential venues for the establishment of the proposed Trade Negotiation Facility.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what sites the Government is considering as potential venues for the establishment of a dedicated trade negotiation facility.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what is latest timeframe is for the dedicated Trade Negotiation Facility to become operational.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: A dedicated Trade Negotiation Facility is one option currently being explored as a means to support future trade negotiations. No decisions have been made. Potential venues could not be disclosed in the interests of commercial confidentiality and competitiveness. Any future decision will be subject to approval by the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, and to standard spending protocols. However, venues previously considered and discounted in London were 1 Drummond Gate and 1 Canada Square.

Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Written Statement of 7 July 2020, WS339, what her Department's definitions are of (a) any patterns of non-compliance, (b) lack of commitment to comply with IHL and (c) a lack of capacity or systemic weaknesses which might give rise to a clear risk of IHL breaches.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: The Department does not place its own specific definitions on these phrases.

Trade Agreements: Environment protection

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the Government’s policy on trade negotiations allows the UK to increase (a) current UK pesticide standards and (b) levels of consumer and environmental protection beyond existing applicable international standards.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the Government's policy on trade negotiations includes not allowing the UK to revert to Codex Alimentarius standards on pesticides.

Greg Hands: I refer the honourable gentleman to the response given to (83835).

Sugar: Import Duties

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what impact assessment was carried out prior to the decision to include a 260,000 tonnes Autonomous Tariff Quota for raw cane sugar in the Government's UK Global Tariff scheme on the potential effect of that policy on (a) the UK sugar beet industry, (b) Tate & Lyle Sugars and (c) the protection of UK food production standards in trade policy.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the potential benefits of the 260,000 tonnes Autonomous Tariff Quota for raw cane sugar included in the Government's UK Global Tariff scheme to Tate & Lyle Sugars as the sole cane sugar refining company in the UK.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the Trade and Agriculture Commission will review the 260,000 tonnes Autonomous Tariff Quota for raw cane sugar included in the Government's UK Global Tariff scheme in its upcoming report.

Greg Hands: Tariffs are a tax, therefore the Government will publish a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) alongside the legislation, as is standard practice. We have committed to reviewing this Autonomous Tariff Quota (ATQ) and we will do so in due course.

Trade Agreements: Greenland

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what progress her Department has made on a trade agreement with Greenland.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: Until the end of the Transition Period, Britain’s trade relationship with Greenland will be governed by an EU framework given Greenland’s status as a Danish dependency and an EU overseas territory. The Department for International Trade is working across government to review the future of Britain’s trading relationship with Greenland and remain in close contact with counterparts in the Greenland Representation.

Cane Sugar: Import Duties

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to ensure that the 260,000 tonnes Autonomous Tariff Quota for raw cane sugar included in the Government's UK Global Tariff scheme does not have an adverse effect on the UK's commitment to (a) environmental protection, (b) animal welfare and (c) food standards in trade policy.

Greg Hands: The Government has sought a balance between the interests of domestic production and processing, and developing country preferences. To achieve this balance, the UK Global Tariff (UKGT) retains tariffs on sugar products, while opening a new Autonomous Tariff Quota (ATQ) of 260,000 tonnes that will apply from 1 January 2021, for 12 months, with an in-quota rate of 0.00%. We always committed to reviewing this ATQ and we will do so in due course. We are proud of the high food safety and animal welfare standards that underpin our high-quality Great British products. We have no intention of undermining our own reputation for quality by lowering our food and animal welfare standards. Existing UK import standards will still apply – the level of tariff applied does not change what can and can not be imported. We have been clear that we will remain committed to high standards.

Developing Countries: Coronavirus

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps she has taken to support producers in the global south whose trade has been disrupted as a result of the covid-19 pandemic

Greg Hands: The UK is championing a comprehensive and coordinated trade and development response to COVID-19. This includes advocating for developing country interests at the G20 and World Trade Organisation (WTO) and adapting our policy and programming portfolios to provide immediate support. Through the Trade and Investment Advocacy Fund, Manufacturing Africa programme and our funding to the World Bank, we are supporting countries to better understand the impacts of COVID-19, design their policy response accordingly, engage in the WTO, increase their production of Covid related goods such as personal protection equipment, and ease the passage of goods across borders. The government has also developed the Vulnerable Supply Chains Facility which seeks to enable vulnerable people and supply chains to recover from and remain resilient to the economic and social impacts of COVID-19, by leveraging the reach and influence of responsible businesses through partnerships. The Facility, made up of £4.85 million UK aid and £2 million from businesses, will focus primarily on supply chains and workers in the agriculture and garment sectors. The partnerships are with 16 of the UK’s largest retailers and wholesalers (including Primark, Monsoon, New Look, M&S, Morrisons, Co-op, Waitrose, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s), reaching 165,000 workers directly, over 800,000 more broadly across UK supply chains in 8 countries in Africa and South Asia (Myanmar, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ghana).

Trade Agreements: Israeli Settlements

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she has had discussions with her Israeli counterpart on illegal annexation; and if she will take steps to reconsider UK trade deals with settlement territories.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: HM Government has maintained a dialogue with Israel and we welcome the suspension of Israel’s plans for annexation, which would have been counterproductive to the goal of securing peace in the region. The United Kingdom does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), including settlements, as part of Israel. For this reason, the OPTs are not covered by the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which currently governs our trade with Israel, nor by the United Kingdom-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement, which will enter into force at the end of the Transition Period.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Staff

Neil O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many members of staff in his Department have either equality, diversity or inclusion in their job title.

Mr John Whittingdale: On 1st September 2020, 10 members of staff in DCMS had equality, diversity or inclusion in their job title.This includes staff working on diversity and inclusion policy for the department in the People and Workplace directorate, as well as diversity and inclusion across DCMS policy areas.

Disclosure of Information: USA

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 July 2020 to Question 75283 on Disclosure of Information: USA, when he plans to publish updated guidance on international data transfers following the Schrems II ruling.

Mr John Whittingdale: The UK Government continues to work with the Information Commissioner’s Office to address the impacts of the Schrems II judgment. The Government’s public statement on the Schrems II judgement is available on Gov.UK.During the Transition Period, EU data protection law and the guidance of the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) apply to the UK directly. The EDPB published initial guidance on international data transfers following the Schrems II judgment on 24 July (available here). We expect the EDPB to provide further guidance in due course.The ICO has published updated material on its website including a statement and updates to their Privacy Shield FAQ (available here and here). DCMS is working with the Information Commissioner’s Office to ensure updated guidance is published, as and when appropriate.

BBC: Local Broadcasting

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the BBC on the effect of reduced funding on regional programming.

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department has taken to support the BBC in the production of regional and local (a) television and (b) radio programming.

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the BBC on the production of local programmes for Cornwall in Bristol.

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussion he has had with the BBC on the effect of proposed changes to local and regional programming on the quality of that output.

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including in the Royal Charter for the continuance of the BBC more emphasis on the need to provide local radio and television programming.

Mr John Whittingdale: The Government recognises the vital role that regional news and local current affairs play in bringing communities together and reflecting experiences across the UK. The BBC’s proposed cuts to English regional television were debated in the chamber on 22 June 2020, where the government set out its support for regional broadcasting and its concern about the BBC’s decision.The BBC is editorially and operationally independent of government, and regional programming is a matter for the BBC. The BBC’s Royal Charter requires the BBC to represent, reflect and serve audiences, taking into account the needs of diverse communities of all the UK nations and regions. Under the new regulatory system introduced by the government in 2017, the BBC Board must ensure the BBC complies with its Charter duties, and Ofcom was established as the BBC regulator to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account.Ofcom is aware of the changes to the BBC’s regional news and current affairs, and has said it will require the BBC to set out how the proposed cuts are consistent with the delivery of the BBC’s public purposes.The government has no plans to reopen the BBC Charter or conduct a public consultation on this issue. The Charter will next be considered at the mid-term review. This is the appropriate milestone to consider whether the current regulatory arrangements for the BBC are working effectively. The Charter specifies that the review must take place between 2022 and 2024.

Local Broadcasting

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to support regional and local news coverage.

Scott Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to support the creation of local radio and television content.

Mr John Whittingdale: Local and regional news coverage provides a vital service - providing information about local public affairs, holding local decision-makers to account, and providing a forum for community discussion.Public service broadcasters, including the BBC, and national and local commercial radio stations, have requirements to produce regional and local news. The BBC’s Royal Charter requires the BBC to represent, reflect and serve audiences, taking into account the needs of diverse communities of all the UK nations and regions. Under the new regulatory system introduced by the Government in 2017, the BBC Board must ensure the BBC complies with its Charter duties, and Ofcom was established as the BBC regulator to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account.The Government’s manifesto also recognises the indispensable role of the local and regional press, committing to “support local and regional newspapers, as vital pillars of communities and local democracy”. It has been an absolute priority to ensure we do all we can as a Government to support local news outlets during the Covid-19 crisis as well as supporting commercial and community radio. This included taking the decision to bring forward the commencement of zero-rating of VAT on e-newspapers to May 2020 and working with Arqiva, the UK’s TV and radio transmission provider, to provide six months discount charges which has benefited local commercial radio stations .The Government also took steps to ensure local media could operate during the Covid 19 lockdown period. Journalists and other key media ancillary staff were designated as ‘key workers’ for the purposes of access to childcare and educational places. The Government also issued guidance to local authorities on the importance of newspaper delivery; took steps to ensure the use of ‘keyword blocklisting’ technology is not inadvertently damaging news publishers’ online advertising revenues for Covid-19 related stories by ad-blocking coronavirus-related terms; and implemented a significant public information campaign, using local and national press and commercial radio extend the reach of these campaigns.

Television Licences: Concessions

Ruth Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what additional resources the Government plans to allocate to the BBC to help the free TV licence for people aged over 75 in (a) Newport West constituency, (b) Wales and (c) the UK.

Mr John Whittingdale: The government is deeply disappointed with the BBC’s decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to only those in receipt of pension credit. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe they should be funded by the BBC.In the 2015 funding settlement, the government agreed with the BBC that responsibility for the concession would transfer to the BBC in June 2020. This reform was subject to public discussion and debated extensively during the passage of the Digital Economy Act 2017 through Parliament. This legislation provides that the future of the concession is the responsibility of the BBC, not of the government.The BBC must look urgently at how it can use its substantial licence fee income to support older people and deliver for UK audiences of all ages.

Children and Young People: Coronavirus

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to discuss with children and young people the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on their lives.

Mr John Whittingdale: Government recognises that it is important to listen to young people and ensure they have a voice on issues that matter to them. Since the start of the pandemic Ministers have committed to attending monthly youth-led roundtable discussions with members of the DCMS Youth Steering Group, who oversee the development of policies and programmes across government that affect young people.Additionally, Ministers have taken up a range of opportunities to speak to young people through events hosted by youth sector organisations, including the Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade Live event, UK Youth’s panel on youth loneliness and a roundtable with representatives involved in the national #YoungAndBlack campaign.Ministers will continue to meet regularly with youth representatives to consider the impact of Covid-19 and engage them in recovery planning.

Third Sector: Coronavirus

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the timetable is for the publication of the review by the hon. Member for Devizes on the role of the voluntary and charitable sector in the UK's recovery from the covid-19 outbreak, commissioned by the Prime Minister.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what resources his Department has made available to the hon. Member for Devizes to support his work commissioned by the Prime Minister on the role of the voluntary and charitable sector in the UK's recovery from the covid-19 outbreak.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what meetings the hon. Member for Devizes has had with the charitable and voluntary sector since being commissioned by the Prime Minister to  review that sector's role in the UK's recovery from the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr John Whittingdale: This is an independent piece of work requested by the Prime Minister of my hon. Friend, the Member for Devizes (Danny Kruger). Mr Kruger and his office led the consultation process and I understand he met with a wide range of stakeholders to inform his recommendations. The Minister for Civil Society met with Mr Kruger bi-weekly to provide feedback on areas relating to the Department’s remit. The report will be published in due course.

Digital Technology: Competition

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when the Competition and Markets Authority plans to report on the findings of the digital markets taskforce; and what plans he has to ensure the equity of markets online for creators and consumers.

Caroline Dinenage: The Government is committed to ensuring that it takes an effective, pro-innovation approach to governing digital technologies.That is why we established the Digital Markets Taskforce to advise on the potential design and implementation of pro-competitive measures in digital platform markets. The Taskforce will support the Government’s objective to ensure that digital markets work for all: to enable disruptors to challenge incumbents, to empower consumers through choice and control, to support quality services and content online, and to provide industry, especially SMEs, with fair access to digital markets to be able to grow their businesses. It will deliver its advice by the end of the year.

Video Games: Gambling

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on the regulation of loot boxes in computer games.

Caroline Dinenage: On 8 June 2020 in its response to the DCMS Select Committee Immersive and Addictive Technologies inquiry, the government announced its intention to run a call for evidence on loot boxes. This will launch shortly and will seek detailed information on the impact of loot boxes on players, particularly children and young people.The government takes concerns around potential harms from loot boxes very seriously and stands ready to take action should the outcomes of the call for evidence support taking a new approach to ensure users are better protected.

Performing Arts: Finance

Christine Jardine: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to support Edinburgh Festival Fringe venue producers and production companies, who are unable to access support from either Scottish or English funding sources as they are registered in one nation of the UK but operate in another.

Caroline Dinenage: We recognise that the Edinburgh Festivals, and all organisations and venues associated with it, play a central role in the cultural, social and economic lives of many in Scotland and across the UK.Arts Council England guidance states that the lead organisation submitting an application to one of its funding sources must be based in England, and is focused on activity that benefits people in England. However, applicants who are based in England but primarily work internationally can also be considered eligible, if they can evidence cultural significance and benefit to England.As culture policy is a devolved matter, we would also recommend that the issue is raised with Scottish Government Ministers and Creative Scotland.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Mr Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, to make a statement about the department's relationship with the War Grave's Commission.

Nigel Huddleston: The Department does not currently have a direct relationship with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, however Historic England and the Commission have recently published a Joint Policy Statement that establishes a shared understanding of how the Commission cares for and manages memorials in cemeteries and churchyards to servicemen and women who have lost their lives in service for this country. The statement also establishes a common understanding of the Commission’s on-going responsibilities towards this aspect of our heritage.

Events Industry: Self-employed

Nicola Richards: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what financial support his Department is providing to (a) self-employed and (b) freelance workers in the entertainment and events supply chain industry unable to return to work during the covid-19 outbreak.

Caroline Dinenage: DCMS recognises the crucial role that individuals play in the UK’s entertainment and events industry, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many individuals operating in these sectors.The Secretary of State announced a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors which will benefit self-employed and freelance workers by providing support to music venues and many other organisations in the Creative Industries that host live events, to stay open and continue operating.To complement the funding for organisations made available by Government, Arts Council England (ACE) have announced £95m of additional support for individuals, including freelancers. This involves:An additional £75m in project grants. These will be focused on applications that maximise employment opportunities and those from under-represented groups. Freelancers and National Portfolio Organisations are eligible to apply.A further round of the ACE programme ‘Discover Your Creative Practice’ will open in the autumn. This will make approximately £18m available for individuals looking to develop new creative skills that will help them to further develop their career.ACE will also be adding £2m into relevant benevolent funds to support those less well supported by the programmes outlined above, including stage managers and technicians.We are committed to continuing to work with the entertainment and events sectors to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery.

Lotteries

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he plans to allow an exemption to the rule that workplace lotteries must be located on a single set of premises for offices where employees are working from home.

Nigel Huddleston: Workplace lotteries are a class of private lottery that is exempt from Gambling Commission licensing or registration with a local authority. They are only permitted at single work locations. The Gambling Act 2005 prohibits advertising workplace lotteries outside of the premises, which includes by email or via a workplace intranet. This ensures that workplace lotteries remain an appropriate size and are distinct from small society lotteries.Government last considered regulations for workplace and other exempt lotteries in 2016, and introduced reforms to reduce bureaucracy and enable promoters to donate proceeds to charity.I have no plans to make any further changes at present.

Greyhound Racing: Coronavirus

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether greyhound stadiums are permitted to (a) open food outlets in line with Government guidance issued on the reopening of restaurants and (b) allow owners access to their racecourses while continuing to operate greyhound racing behind closed doors during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Huddleston: Greyhound racing should follow sector specific guidance as well as relevant government guidance including mass gatherings, sports stadia and, where relevant, pubs and restaurants regarding the reopening of food outlets and owners access to racecourses.On 4 May 2020 the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) produced a phased Operational Policy that would facilitate racing behind closed doors in a safe, effective and stage-by-stage manner. This includes strict, comprehensive controls relating to hygiene and social distancing protocols, whilst promoting the highest levels of greyhound welfare.

Digital Technology: Coronavirus

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how much money his Department has spent on digital inclusion for adults in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Caroline Dinenage: My Department has been promoting the DevicesDotNow campaign, which is working with community organisations to distribute devices to vulnerable adults and help them get online. The aim is to enable elderly and vulnerable people, particularly those to who are shielding, to communicate with the outside world and get access to vital services. I have also written to a number of industry Chief Executives to raise awareness of the campaign and to encourage them to donate tablets and laptops.

Events Industry: Coronavirus

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans the Government has to provide additional support to the live events industry in response to the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on that sector.

Caroline Dinenage: DCMS appreciates the important role that the events sector plays in the UK’s cultural economy, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many businesses operating in these sectors.The Secretary of State provided a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors. This support package will benefit cultural sector services by providing support to cultural venues and many other organisations in the Creative Industries that host live events, to stay open and continue operating.From 15th August venues and organisations have been able to put on live indoor performances in front of a socially-distanced audience. This is in addition to the earlier announcement that from 11 July we can all enjoy performances outdoors with social distancing. This follows the government’s five-stage roadmap outlining how DCMS will get audiences back into performing arts venues. We are now at Stage Four of the roadmap.We are committed to continuing to work with the live events sector to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery.

Music: Government Assistance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a live music industry support scheme similar to the Government of Germany's €150 million package for that country's industry.

Caroline Dinenage: DCMS appreciates the important role that the live music sector plays in the UK’s cultural economy, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many businesses operating in these sectors.The Secretary of State announced a major £1.57 billion support package for cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors. This support package will benefit the live music sector, including music venues and many other organisations in the Creative Industries that host live events, to stay open and continue operating.From 15th August, and as part of the Government’s 5 stage roadmap to get performing arts and live entertainment sectors back up and running as soon as possible, venues and organisations have been able to put on live indoor performances in front of a socially-distanced audience. This is in addition to the earlier announcement that from 11 July we can all enjoy performances outdoors with social distancing.We are committed to continuing to work with the live events sector to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery.

Events Industry: Self-employed

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what support his Department will make available to freelance workers in the events industry to help retain those workers in that industry in anticipation of it reopening as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Caroline Dinenage: DCMS recognises the crucial role that individuals play in the UK’s events industry, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many individuals operating in this sector.The Secretary of State announced a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors. This support package will benefit freelancers by providing support to cultural venues and many other organisations in the Creative Industries that host live events, to stay open and continue operating.To complement the funding for organisations made available by Government, Arts Council England (ACE) have announced £95m of additional support for individuals, including freelancers. This involves:an additional £75m in project grants. These will be focused on applications that maximise employment opportunities and those from under-represented groups. Freelancers and National Portfolio Organisations are eligible to apply.A further round of the ACE programme ‘Discover Your Creative Practice’ will open in the autumn. This will make approximately £18m available for individuals looking to develop new creative skills that will help them to further develop their career.ACE will also be adding £2m into relevant benevolent funds to support those less well supported by the programmes outlined above, including stage managers and technicians.Government has also provided additional support for freelancers by extending the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.We are committed to continuing to work with the events sector to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery.

Business: Coronavirus

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to provide targeted support to (a) the events sector and (b) other sectors that remain closed as a result of covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Caroline Dinenage: DCMS appreciates the important role that the events sector plays in the UK’s economy, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many businesses operating in these sectors.The Secretary of State announced an unprecedented £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors. This package aims to support sectors across the Arts, Culture, and Heritage to reopen or ensure they do not permanently close their doors.From 15th August and as part of the Government’s 5 stage roadmap to get performing arts and live entertainment sectors back up and running as soon as possible, venues and organisations have been able to put on live indoor performances in front of a socially-distanced audience. This is in addition to the earlier announcement that from 11 July we can all enjoy performances outdoors with social distanced audiencesing.We are committed to continuing to work with the events sector to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery.

Events Industry: Coronavirus

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to provide targeted support to the events sector during the covid-19 outbreak.

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate his Department has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) jobs and (b) revenues in the events sector; and what steps the Government is taking to mitigate that effect.

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the Government support to the events sector during the covid-19 outbreak; and what steps his Department is taking to increase its support for that sector.

Caroline Dinenage: DCMS appreciates the important role that the events sector plays in the UK’s economy, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many businesses operating in these sectors.The Secretary of State provided a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors. This support package will benefit cultural sector services by providing support to cultural venues and many other organisations in the Creative Industries that host live events, to stay open and continue operating.From 15th August, and as part of the Government’s 5 stage roadmap to get performing arts and live entertainment sectors back up and running as soon as possible, organisations can now put on live indoor performances in front of a socially-distanced audience. This is in addition to the earlier announcement that from 11 July we can all enjoy performances outdoors with social distancing.We are committed to continuing to work with the events sector to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery.

Events Industry

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish a long-term strategy to support the re-opening of the live events sector as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Caroline Dinenage: DCMS appreciates the important role that the events sector plays in the UK’s cultural economy, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many businesses operating in these sectors.The Secretary of State provided a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors. This support package will benefit cultural sector services by providing support to cultural venues and many other Cultural organisations that host live events, to stay open and continue operating.From 15th August, and as part of the Government’s 5 stage roadmap to get performing arts and live entertainment sectors back up and running as soon as possible, venues and organisations have been able to put on live indoor performances in front of a socially-distanced audience. This is in addition to the earlier announcement that from 11 July we can all enjoy performances outdoors with social distancing. This follows the government’s five-stage roadmap outlining how DCMS will get audiences back into performing arts venues. We are now at Stage Four of the roadmap.We are committed to continuing to work with the live events sector to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery.

Music: Culture Recovery Fund

Laura Farris: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether businesses supplying technical and musical kit to live music events and concert venues can access the Culture Recovery Fund.

Caroline Dinenage: DCMS appreciates the important role that the live music sector plays in the UK’s cultural economy, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many businesses operating in these sectors.The Secretary of State provided a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors. Businesses supplying technical and musical equipment are not eligible to apply for this funding, however this support package will benefit these businesses by providing support to music venues and many other organisations in the Creative Industries that host live events, to stay open and continue operating.From 15th August, venues and organisations have been able to put on live indoor performances in front of a socially-distanced audience. This is in addition to the earlier announcement that from 11 July we can all enjoy performances outdoors with social distancing. This follows the government’s five-stage roadmap outlining how DCMS will get audiences back into performing arts venues. We are now at Stage Four of the roadmap.We are committed to continuing to work with the live events sector to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery.

Business: Coronavirus

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing targeted support to (a) the events sector and (b) other sectors that remain closed as a result of covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Caroline Dinenage: DCMS appreciates the important role that the events sector plays in the UK’s economy, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many businesses operating in these sectors.The Secretary of State announced an unprecedented £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors which will benefit self-employed and freelance workers by helping music venues and many other organisations in the Creative Industries that host live events, to stay open and continue operating.From 15th August and as part of the Government’s 5 stage roadmap to get performing arts and live entertainment sectors back up and running as soon as possible, venues and organisations have been able to put on live indoor performances in front of a socially-distanced audience. This is in addition to the earlier announcement that from 11 July we can all enjoy performances outdoors with social distanced audiences.We are committed to continuing to work with the events sector to understand the difficulties they face and help them access support through these challenging times and through recovery.

Arts: Internet

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress has been made under the Creative Industries Sector Deal rights holder and online marketplaces roundtables in achieving their objective of reducing online infringement; whether the Government made an assessment of the potential merits of legislation after a code of practice was not agreed by December 2018; and what the timetable is for the conclusion of those roundtables.

Caroline Dinenage: Government has committed to overseeing discussions between rights holders and platforms as part of the online marketplaces roundtables. Progress has been steady with more time requested by all parties for bilateral discussions as each platform operates differently. Consequently, substantive progress has been made with a Memorandum of Understanding currently in draft phase. Throughout these discussions platforms have addressed some of the concerns raised by rights holders and the expectation is for a signed MoU this Autumn.

Coronavirus: Disinformation

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what staffing and resource is provided to the unit in his Department tackling covid-19 misinformation.

Caroline Dinenage: In support of the Government’s central Covid-19 response, the Counter Disinformation Unit stood up on 5 March 2020. The Unit brings together cross-government capabilities, including monitoring, analysis and strategic communications. It includes teams in DCMS, the Home Office, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Cabinet Office. The Unit is resourced full time through existing cross-government teams.

Digital Technology: Coronavirus

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has put in place to ensure that all households in the UK are digitally enabled in response to a potential second wave of covid-19.

Caroline Dinenage: The Government is continuing to assess what needs to be done in preparation for a potential second wave of Covid-19. In March, the government agreed a set of voluntary commitments with telecommunications providers to support and protect vulnerable consumers and those who might become vulnerable as a result of Covid-19. Some of the offers made by providers, including those on landline and mobile, are still in place. My Department has been promoting the DevicesDotNow campaign, which is working with community organisations to distribute devices to vulnerable adults and help them get online. The aim is to enable elderly and vulnerable people, particularly those to who are shielding, to communicate with the outside world and get access to vital services.

Events Industry: Coronavirus

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether the Government is planning to provide additional support for the exhibition industry in response to the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on that sector.

Nigel Huddleston: We recognise that the events industry and its supply chain has been severely impacted by Covid-19. We continue to meet with the stakeholders, including through the Visitor Economy Working Group and the Events Industry Senior Leaders Advisory Panel, to discuss the specific issues facing the industry.Events businesses can continue to make use of the broader support package available to them. This includes the Bounce Back Loans scheme, the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.We have worked closely with events stakeholders, through both the Visitor Economy and Events & Entertainment Working Groups, to develop Covid-19 Secure reopening guidance for the business events industry. We are holding three business event pilots in September as part of our preparations to help the sector safely reopen and begin its recovery. If prevalence remains around or below current levels into the autumn, we will bring back audiences in stadia, and allow conferences and other business events to recommence in a COVID-19 Secure way, from 1 October. This step will only take place once we have a reliable scientific understanding of the impact of reopening schools on the epidemic.

Hotels: Coronavirus

Damien Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what support is available for hoteliers in the event that customer must self-isolate at the hotel during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Huddleston: We have published guidance on how to open guest accommodation businesses safely whilst minimising the risks of COVID-19. If a guest is displaying signs of COVID-19 while staying in overnight accommodation, they should inform the accommodation provider, immediately self-isolate where they are to minimise any risk of transmission, and request a test. If they are confirmed to have COVID-19, they should return home if they reasonably can. If a guest cannot reasonably return home, their circumstances should be discussed with an appropriate health care professional and, if necessary, the local authority. Unless otherwise provided for in the contractual terms of the booking, the guest will be expected to pay the costs of an extended stay in all but exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances may include, but are not limited to, where the accommodation provider has failed to follow government guidance to create a COVID-secure environment. The Government has developed a comprehensive support package to help businesses and workers deal with various COVID-related pressures, which hotel and bed and breakfast businesses can continue to access.

Hotels: Small Businesses

Scott Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with representatives from the tourism industry in England on establishing a Government backed online booking platform for small hotels and bed and breakfasts.

Scott Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of establishing an online booking platform for small hotels and bed and breakfasts.

Nigel Huddleston: In June 2019, the British Tourist Authority launched the Tourism Exchange Great Britain (TXGB) platform. TXGB was a key commitment of the Tourism Sector Deal, and makes it easier for accommodation businesses, including small hotels and bed and breakfasts, to be featured by in-market distributors, alongside attractions and experiences. This helps to promote English destinations and businesses abroad. Almost a hundred businesses are now signed up as distributors on the platform. Tourism businesses like small hotels and bed and breakfasts that sign up as suppliers can choose the distributors through which they sell their product. The platform ensures that domestic and international consumers have access to the best of the country's tourism offer when booking holidays.

National Lottery: Regulation

Ronnie Cowan: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has had with industry stakeholders on increasing the legal age limit to play the National Lottery to 18 years old; and if he will make a statement.

Nigel Huddleston: The government held a consultation seeking views on whether to raise the minimum age for playing National Lottery games as part of work on the next National Lottery licence. In response to this consultation the government received evidence from a range of industry stakeholders and has had ongoing discussions with a number of respondents. The responses are currently being considered and I will formally respond in due course. In addition to the evidence received through the consultation, DCMS has been engaging with the Gambling Commission on recent trends in National Lottery play, particularly amongst the younger age group.

Gambling: Regulation

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress his Department has made with the Gambling Commission on regulating the grey market in gambling.

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the grey market in gambling; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions his Department has had with the Gambling Commission on the effect of the grey market in gambling on the gambling industry.

Nigel Huddleston: Jurisdictions in which there are not clear rules about the legality of gambling, particularly online gambling, are often referred to as grey markets. There is no grey market in Great Britain, where operators are forbidden by law from providing gambling facilities to British consumers unless they are licensed by the Gambling Commission and abide by strict requirements intended to keep gambling fair and crime free and to protect children and vulnerable people. Any operator offering facilities to gamble without the appropriate licence from the Gambling Commission is committing an offence under the Gambling Act 2005. Ministers and officials engage regularly with stakeholders and details of ministerial meetings are available at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/905167/DCMS_Ministerial_meetings__1st_January_to_31st_March_2020.csv/preview

Gambling: Children

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps his Department has taken to tackle underage gambling.

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the Gambling-related harms evidence review.

Nigel Huddleston: Operators offering gambling facilities to people in Great Britain must have a licence from the Gambling Commission and have procedures in place to prevent underage gambling. The Gambling Commission has a range of powers to act in the case of failure, including the power to suspend or revoke a licence, impose financial penalties or prosecute criminal offences. In May 2019 the Gambling Commission introduced new rules that require online gambling businesses to verify the age of customers before they can deposit money, gamble, or access play-for-free versions of gambling games. The Gambling Commission is also working with local authorities and the hospitality sector to improve the enforcement of legal age requirements on the use of gaming machines in pubs. The Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport and the Department for Health and Social Care work closely together on matters related to gambling harm, and share regular updates including on the forthcoming evidence review being carried out by Public Health England.

Football: Coronavirus

Alberto Costa: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of permitting a limited number of spectators to attend non-league football matches as covid-19 restrictions are eased.

Paula Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the timeframe is to enable (a) non-league football and (b) amateur clubs to safely host small crowds at matches.

Nigel Huddleston: On 18th August, the Government amended its guidance to provide extra clarification for organisers of non-elite sports events to help them manage and admit spectators safely, adhering to social distancing. Non-league football clubs from level seven of the pyramid, below the National League North / South, can admit spectators in line with the FA’s definition of non-elite football. We continue to work closely with all sports, including the interests of football from National League and above to support the safe return of spectators to stadia more widely from October 1st. As announced by the Prime Minister, this remains subject to successful pilots events and wider prevailing public health factors, both of which remain under active consideration.

Football

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether (a) he or (b) a Minister in his Department is planning to attend the final of the delayed 2019-20 FA Vase.

Nigel Huddleston: Ministers are not currently planning on attending the Non-League Finals day later this month. The ministerial team have attended pilot events and will attend others where possible, and are close to the pilot programme. The Government is keen to see the safe return of spectators to live sports events. A programme of pilot events is being carried out to allow venues and operators to test their covid-secure arrangements in line with the Government's guidance on the return of fans to elite sports events. Subject to public health conditions, the pilots will build up throughout September with a view to a full reopening for fans under Covid-secure conditions from 1 October.

Football

Paul Bristow: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the (a) Football Association and (b) his counterparts in the devolved administrations on the prospects for relaunching the British Home Football Championship.

Nigel Huddleston: The Government has not had any recent discussions with the FA or Devolved Administrations about a British Home Football Championship. Whilst our love of the sport unites the home nations, international fixtures are a matter for the relevant football authorities.

Football: Clubs

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a statutory owners and directors test in football.

Nigel Huddleston: Football clubs are the heart of local communities, they have unique social value and many with a great history. It is vital they are protected. The Government is committed to undertaking a fan led review of football governance, which will include consideration of the Owners’ and Directors’ test.

Telecommunications: Russia

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 July 2020 to Question 73828 on Telecommunications Russia, whether the Government has made an assessment of the threat posed by Russia to the integrity and security of the UK's communications networks.

Matt Warman: The Government has long recognised there is an enduring and significant threat posed by Russia to the UK and its allies and delivery of the Government’s Russia strategy is coordinated through the HMG Russia Unit and supported by the joint state threats assessment team and wider diplomatic, intelligence and military capabilities. In support of this strategy, the Government’s approach to securing the UK’s telecommunications networks is underpinned by world-leading security analysis from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the risks and threats faced by the UK telecoms sector, and is informed by, inter alia, details of previous attacks on the UK telecoms networks, and the NCSC’s knowledge of global attacks on telecoms systems, regardless of the attacker. The NCSC’s security analysis is subject to constant review as the risks and threats change, and their advice to the government is updated accordingly.

Arts: Coronavirus

Ian Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make extended financial support available for freelancers in the arts sector when the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme end to respond to venues not being (a) permitted to open as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased and (b) able to offer contracts of employment to freelancers in that sector.

Caroline Dinenage: "DCMS recognise that these are extremely challenging times for freelancers, and understand the crucial role they play in making our arts and creative industries world-leading. We are working hard to ensure that we help to provide financial support to freelancers during this period. On 5 July, DCMS announced a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of sectors, including performing arts and theatres, museums and galleries, heritage sites, live music venues and independent cinema. As a result of these grants and loans, organisations will be more able to resume cultural activity, albeit in a socially distanced way, which will increase employment opportunities for freelancers. Each organisation that receives money will know what best they can do to support their workforce, including their freelance workforce.  The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme has also been extended with applications opening in August for a second and final grant. The grant will operate in the same way as the existing scheme with self-employed workers eligible for a single payment covering three months, at a level of 70% of average monthly earnings up to a maximum of £6,570 (i.e. down from 80% and a maximum of £7,500). Alongside this funding, ACE have announced £95m of additional support for individuals, which can include freelancers. This involves things such as an additional £75m in project grants. These will be focused on applications that maximise employment opportunities and those from under-represented groups and freelancers are eligible to apply to this directly. National Portfolio Organisations can also apply to create new work with bids that create employment opportunities prioritised. A further round of the ACE programme ‘Discover Your Creative Practice’ will also open in the autumn, which will make approximately £18m available for individuals looking to develop new creative skills that will help them to further develop their career. ACE will also be adding £2m into relevant benevolent funds to support those less well supported by the programmes outlined above, including stage managers and technicians

House of Commons Commission

Kickstart Scheme

Wes Streeting: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what arrangements are in place for (a) the House of Commons and (b) hon. Members to participate in the Kickstart scheme.

Pete Wishart: The House of Commons has a good track record for supporting young people into employment, and particularly those from disadvantaged and under-represented groups. We currently achieve this through the paid internships we offer as part of the Speaker's Parliamentary Placement Scheme and our Summer Diversity Internship Programme, as well as through our apprenticeship programme. In line with this commitment the House authorities are currently discussing the best way to engage with the Kickstart scheme, both as an employer and in their role supporting Members and their offices.

Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission

Local Government: Single Member Constituencies

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the hon. Member for City of Chester, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what assessment the Committee has made of the potential merits of all councils having single member wards to ensure equal representation and equal weight to votes cast in local elections.

Christian Matheson: The Local Government Boundary Commission is responsible for recommending fair electoral and boundary arrangements for local authorities in England. In doing this it balances three statutory criteria: within an authority, each councillor should represent a similar number of electors; boundaries should be appropriate, reflecting community ties and identities, and its reviews should be informed by local needs, views and circumstances.It is not necessary for all councils to have single member wards to ensure councillors represent a similar number of electors. When conducting a review, the Commission first decides on the number of coucillors needed for an authority. It then calculates how many electors there should be per councillor. When doing this, it is required to use as a baseline a forecast of the number of local electors five years after the competition of its reviews. The forecast number is divided by the number of councillors to give a target number of electors per councillor. The target in multi-member wards is multiplied by the number of councillors in that ward so that councillors represent a similar number of electors.

Women and Equalities

Employment: Equality

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to encourage diversity in senior professions in relation to (a) age, (b) class, (c) ethnicity, (d) gender and (e) sexuality.

Kemi Badenoch: This Government is actively working on these issues. To encourage greater age diversity in workplaces, we have published a strategy 'Fuller Working Lives: A Partnership Approach', which aims to increase the retention, retraining and recruitment of older workers by bringing about a change in the perceptions and attitudes of employers.On levelling up opportunity regardless of social class, the Social Mobility Commission’s latest report (published on 10 June 2020) recognises progress in improving life chances for poorer groups and keeping disadvantaged pupils in education for longer. In line with that, we have launched a £1 billion package to directly tackle the impact of lost teaching time due to COVID-19, including a £350 million National Tutoring Programme targeted at those children and young people who need the most help.On gender and ethnicity in senior professions, we support the business-led voluntary Hampton-Alexander and Parker Reviews respectively. The FTSE 100 and 350 have achieved their 33% women on boards targets and there are now only two all male boards, against 152 in 2011. We also support the Financial Reporting Council’s efforts to improve the quality of company diversity reporting, including by ethnicity.Finally, in relation to sexuality, in Autumn 2019, we brought together participants from over 150 businesses to share experiences and best practice in making workplaces genuinely LGBT-inclusive and we are exploring what more can be done to tackle LGBT workplace discrimination.